Wishing You A Very Happy Thanksgiving

We at ICE want to wish you and your families a very, very Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving, I like to do some fun activities with my kids. We might to try a new recipe, or try our hand at a fun little craft project. A couple years back the girls and I made some cute little turkey themed napkin rings. We used the Quickutz turkey die for the front, then used brown chalk ink around the edges. We then cut a strip of paper and formed it into a circle and glued to the back to make the ring for the napkins. We then labeled each napkin ring the names of the turkey who would be sitting at that place sitting. :)

This year we plan to make place cards for everyone to then write what we are thankful for. We're going to make them cute, so I can use them in my scrapbook layout later! :)

Do any of you have any Thankgiving traditions or fun projects that your family does? If you do, we'd love to see them. Please e-mail us at info@iceescape.net

***Tracy***

Sittin With Santa Layout

It's that time of the year! The Christmas Season is upon us. With Thanksgiving this week, the official Holiday Season is under way! ICE got in to the Christmas spirit early getting ready for the Canyon County Christmas show last week. We had so much fun meeting so many of you who are now planning to come to this year's ICE event. And reconnecting with old friends and some of last year's ICE participants!

I'm sure many of you have many fond Christmas memories. I very clearly remember going the the mall every year and visiting Santa. This is a tradition I've carried on with my own children. Sure, when they were little we had some years with tears and screaming. Then they turned to years of shear awe and adoration. Now my kids are older and pretty much know how the whole thing works, but they STILL love going to visit Santa. And, faithfully Santa comes every year to grant their special Christmas wishes.

Two years ago my youngest daughter was seven. I knew my years of her "Believing" were numbered. So, off to the mall we went all dressed up in a pretty dress to visit "The Big Guy". Here's the scrapbook layout with the picture:

Some of you, who visited us at the Canyon County Christmas Show, picked up your own Santa layout like this. I wanted to post it on the blog so that you could see how it all goes together. It's pretty quick and easy assembly:

1. Attach the thinner long red cardstock strip horizontally about mid-way down the background cardstock.

2. Vertically attach the thicker red cardstock strip to the left side of the background cardstock, leave approximately 1/2 inch from the edge.

3. Add the Christmas themed patterned paper strip on top of the vertical red cardstock centering it so a little bit of the red shows on the side.

4. Add the circle of stripped glitter paper slightly overlapping the vertical strip. The circle should be positioned more toward the top of the layout, so that you'll have room for the tag at the bottom.

5. Attach your photo mat. *Please note: Photo mat can be positioned either vertically or horizontally - what ever orientation your photo is will work. (mine just happens to be vertically).

6. Add photo to photo mat centering it to show red around the edges.

7. Add photo corner triangles to the left side of the photo

8. Add thin strip of striped patterned paper to the bottom of the tag. I left some space at the bottom of the tag, and didn't put the stip all the way to the bottom edge.

9. Journal on your tag

10. Add ribbon to your tag

11. Position tag to the bottom right of the layout.

Viola! You are done!

For those of you wondering about the super cute frame featured in the picture above. It's from Creative Memories. Contact your favorite consultant if you want to pick one up for yourself.

If you're wondering how I cut the circle. I have to tell you about my very favorite scrapbook tool. My Curvy Cutter by EK Success! I picked mine up at Archivers. I love circles on my layouts! I also love using it for cutting rings, and other fun accents. This little baby makes circle cutting so easy, and you can cut in several different sizes. There are other templates besides just circles too.

Now get out there and create some new Holiday memories with your family. Then take a ton of pictures, and when you get a chance share some of your awesome layouts and Christmas projects with us here at ICE!

****Tracy :) *****

Christmas Countdown

OK almost caught up (please don’t let me mess you up there is really only 4 weeks left till Christmas- but I got behind on my blog posts!)

On the fifth week before Christmas
My ICE Chicks gave to me
A countdown to Christmas Eve!

This little Countdown has become a family Tradition in our House. Not only has it given us lots of memories, but its so dang cute and super fun to create.

TINS: You can find these little Tins at Michaels and I have seen them at Target also in the wedding supplies. (Look in the favors section). You can get a whole bucket of tins (30 in all) for 19.99 and if you happen to have a coupon…(who shops at Michaels w/o a coupon anyways??) I decorated each tin differently. It really helps to use a line of paper for this project that has several designs- I used the Figgy Pudding line by Basic Grey here. If you use a 2” circle punch it is the perfect size to fit your background paper in the tin lids. Use some clear drying liquid glue to Adhere most of your papers and embellishments. Use stickers, or stamps, or die cut numbers to label all of the tins. Glue magnets to the backs of the tins and wala! I chose to only do 12 days because doing 24 days would just be too much for me to handle….but hey if you’re up for the challenge… :0)

BOARD: This is a cookie sheet…yep a cookie sheet! There are all kinds of shapes and sizes out there. Use a cropadile or Big Bite to punch holes to thread your ribbon, this will really dress it up and make it look much less like a cookie sheet! LOL I use mine on an easel, but you could easily add a ribbon hanger to the top through a ribbon hole to hang on the wall.

TITLE: On this countdown I used cut letters and shapes from my Silhouette and used a good liquid glue to adhere them. (most cookie sheets have a non stick coating that can make some adhesives not work too well) On other countdowns I have made before I have used chipboard letters, which gives the finished project a nice dimensional effect. Stickers also work well and would make the project much easier if you don’t have a personal die-cutting machine.

FILLERS: There is a lot of fun ways to use your countdown. You can fill the small tins with candy or small trinkets. Some ideas are mini makeup, earrings, necklace’s, bracelets, rings, stickers, hair accessories, toy cars, legos, tea light candles, sample perfumes, etc. You can also get creative and hide a puzzle piece(s) each day to slowly put together that will reveal a secret or prize at the end. (you can easily make your own puzzle or write a message on the back of a small puzzle before breaking it apart). You can have scavenger hunts with clues each day or even a clue to where you have hidden something bigger that won’t fit in the tin. Or my favorite (and what we do at our home) is each day have a special family activity. I write these on strips of paper and the night before place a paper in the tin. (this way I can pre-plan and no one peeks!) I do things like…
*Go caroling * Take a winter wonderland walk * Bake cookies * Play a board game * decorate the tree* read the Christmas story from the Bible* Build a snowman* have a movie night (pick a favorite holiday movie pop some popcorn and enjoy!) * play a board game* Do something kind for someone less fortunate (we’ll bake goodies and secretly drop them off at someone’s home, or go buy some toys to donate to toys for tots)* Read a Christmas book by the light of the Christmas tree* Visit Santa* Go Ice Skating* Go sledding* etc etc…
I usually incorporate things we would be doing anyways into the calendar. Like if I know we are going on a special outing I’ll keep it secret and use that. Or when we get ready to bake cookies for the neighbors I’ll use the “bake cookies” one, and when we do traditional things like picking out the tree and decorating it or visiting the live nativity I incorporate these events into the calendar. My kids love opening the tin each morning and finding out what special activity we are doing that day. It really helps to bring us focused on spending time together as a family and enjoy Christmas rather than being frazzled!

EnjoY!
***HeatheR***

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas....

Hello from the Canyon County Christmas Craft Show! Isn't our booth just too cute... it was fun to bring a little tropical sunshine to the dreary day (if you haven't figured it out yet- our theme for ICE '09 is a tropical theme...

"Escape to a Scrappers Paradise"

The show has put us in the Christmas mood, and has us thinking....

Would ICE be the perfect gift for you? We'll be happy to put a peep in someone's ear. Just send us an email to info@iceescape.net and tell us the email address you'd like us to send your Christmas wish to and we'll take care of the rest!

Or maybe you know someone that you'd like to give ICE to as a gift. We'll send you a certificate and even wrap it (with a few extra fun goodies thrown in for good measure)! Remember, ICE is on SALE $20.00 off PLUS the chance to win your spot for free!

And don't forget about our Lay-A-Way program, it makes ICE affordable by just paying a little at a time!

MIA,Craft Show, & Christmas Fudge

I know I’ve been MIA. It has been crazy around here! ICE has been gearing up for the Canyon County Christmas Show! We have been cutting and gluing our hearts out! WE have lots of fun stuff in our booth to sell and to inspire. If you’re local come visit us and say “hi!” We are offering a free make-n-take, and a great basket to giveaway filled with all kinds of scrappin goodies. Sign up for the Scrapbookers Escape, ICE ’09 and get free gift wrapping, some scrapping goodies, plus the early bird discount and a chance at winning a spot for free! Now it just can’t get any better than that! Sign up for yourself or give it as a gift! Tell your hubbies and loved ones what you REALLY want for Christmas and send them down to see us!

What: Canyon County Christmas Show
Where: Idaho Center
When: Thursday November 21, 11am-9pm, Friday 22, 11am-7pm, and Sunday23, 11am-5pm
Make sure to stop by and tell us you are an ICE blog fan!

So I’ve gotten a bit behind on the Christmas inspiration posts… I digress… I had good intentions, life just seemed to get in the way! But do not fear I have lots of goodies still yet for ya! So be on the watch, I’ll be posting some fun ideas and maybe even a bonus idea or two soon!
So here it goes, Christmas Inspiration countdown late but, better than never, week 6!

On the sixth week before Christmas

My ICE Chicks gave to me,

more cheap ideas using candy!

I think these candy bars are just the funniest (is that a word) They are great for neighbors, teachers and coworkers!

The poem reads….

(to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Dashing through the malls
with groceries yet to buy;
lessons, work and housekeeping,
life is so crazy! Why?

Bells on our phone ring,
the machine will take the call,
We have no time for family or friends,
it drives us up the wall.

How are you? How’s your life?
we really want to know.
We’d love to chat and hear the news,
but please don’t talk to slow.

How are you? How’s your life?
We really want to know.
hope you’re ready for Christmas,
Now maybe it will snow.

A day or two ago,
we thought we’d make a treat,
for all our special friends-
a Christmas gift to eat.

Our intentions were top notch,
but our schedules would not budge,
Hence here this year’s edition,
of homemade Christmas fudge!


EnjoY!
***HeatheR***

Card Box

On the seventh week before Christmas
my ICE Chicks gave to me…
a box full of Bella’s for you to see!

I have to say I think this is my favorite of all my holiday projects this year. I have had so much fun making these! You can find great and detailed instructions on how to make your own Card Box from the original artist (I wish I could claim to be so creative!) at http://jackietopa.typepad.com/Stationary.pdf

Here is the box closed. makes a cute gift all by itself no need for wrapping paper!

Pull off the lid and opens up a whole stationary kit to go! There’s a place for everything here… a pen, a notepad to keep birthdays or addresses in, a mini pocket to hold stamps, the back pocket holds standard size cards and envelopes, the front pockets can hold many things; here I used them to hold an array of mini note cards and some matching gift tags.

Is this not just the cutest thing???

Then I had an idea…

How about a box to hold some pre stamped Bella’s, sentiments, embellishments, and basic cards ready to be adorned with the perfect Bella and saying for any occasion that arises for the need of a card!

A Pocket full of Bella's


The recipient can embellish their finished card with some coordinating ribbon from thse cute tags. Another idea would be to include some mini colored pencils to color the Bellas with inside this pocket.


a mini pocket with several setiments to choose from for any occasion.


Notebook & matching pen


Everything the Build-A-Bella Box holds. Including Cards ready to be adorned with Bella & a fun tag with instructions for the recipient.

Have fun, as you can see you can be creative with your box. The pockets can hold a multitude of things. How about a gift wrapping box, with the essentials such as mini scissors, curling ribbon, gift tags and cards? Or a teachers survival box with a persoanlized notepad, "Good Job" stickers, and a stash of emergency chocolate? If you come up with a creative twist on this card box let me know... post a comment!

Enjoy!

***HeatheR***

Vote!

Since today is election day I am feeling very patriotic and would like to inspire you to vote! We can sometimes forget what the women before us went through to give us the right and the privilege to vote.

I received this story in an email and do not know who to credit, but it is worth sharing.


WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE:

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the right to vote.

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of "obstructing sidewalk traffic".

They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night bleeding and gasping for air!

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But theactual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing,but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.' Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought for so hard by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.


Happy voting!
Nancy