Brain Mush

Can someone tell me how to get rid of this brain mush I'm going through??? I want to be happy and joyful for Christmas for the kids and Gene, but I feel so icky! My scrapping inspiration has gone out the window this past week. Even though I have some really cute pictures to scrap....I just don't feel like doing it.

Our holiday shopping is done. All the stocking stuffers, gifts and food for Christmas dinner is purchased. I'll be wrapping the rest of the gifts tonight after I get done writing here. I just feel like something is missing. I'm so unmotivated and it's driving me NUTS!!!! I was hoping to finish up a paper pack and have it posted for Christmas, but even that isn't coming along like I wanted.

Anyone have a sure fire cure for the Holiday Blues???

OK.....enough yucky talk....I wanna share something that I think is pretty cool and I'm hoping you will think it is too!

I posted this thread at DST today. I seen a gift at a baby shower a few years ago and instead of purchased curled ribbon and a bow, the lady had made a matching curled ribbon bow from the leftover paper scraps! I know I have tons of little scraps of wrapping paper leftover when I'm wrapping that just isn't able to wrap another gift and I hate to waste and throw those scraps away. So of course, I posted a thread at DST and Amber (Amber1279) linked me up to these blog instructions!

You've just gotta see this tutorial! I hope it helps save some trees this Christmas AND your pocketbook on all those extra toppings for your gifts!

(Picture from Zoey, Perrenial Passion Blog. Click image to see the tutorial on her blog)

Thanks for reading and I hope you like that tip! Now it's off to wrap all those presents!

Merry Christmas!

Gift Cans

Remember awhile back I mentioned that LuAnn(wildblueeyez) had created a gallon paint can label set using Carole Neale's "A Doodly Christmas" page kit? Well, here are my finished pics FINALLY!

Unwrapped so you can see the detail

Both Teacher Cans Wrapped

Pssst....Carole's still got the labels up for grabs on her blog....so go get 'em while you can!

These made really nice gifts for the teachers because I was able to fill them with things they can use for the classroom as well as a little goodie for them to keep. Kyle's teacher got the red star beaded ornament....because she's our STAR TEACHER! I gave Joshua's teacher a bag of these really cool holiday messages M&M's.....something sweet for a sweet teacher.

Have you seen them?

They come prepackaged with the silver bow attached. Perfect small thing to have on hand this time of year. I'm also having Kyle give one of these Holiday M&M's to his bus driver.

I've been busy with last minute Christmas details. I started to panic today because I still hadn't gotten my boss his gift yet and tomorrow morning is my last day to work before Christmas. Yikes!!!! So thankfully, a store in a town near us carried what I wanted to get him and I was able to pick it up after Kyle got home from school today. Phew!!! He mentioned a few weeks back that he had lost his hat when he traded in his car for a new one....the hat went with the used car by mistake. But that he was too lazy to order a new one. He always chides me for not wearing my hat. So, I thought this would be a good gift idea for him! He seriously has not gotten a new hat, so I hope he likes this one.

Well, short and sweet again tonight! I'm off to wrap prezzies and do some Christmas goodies with the kids. Maybe I'll finish up a few of those CT layouts I've been procrastinating after the kids are tucked in bed tonight!

See ya!

Santa & the Skunk????

Ok, so I promised I'd share the picture of Santa with the boys today and boy have I got a story to tell ya'll!

We got to the mall and quickly realized that it was Santa with Pets night at the mall. Oy-Vay! Dogs, and cats, and skunks....oh my!!! Wait, Skunks???? Yup, there was a girl there with a "pet" skunk!!! Can you believe that? Both the boys got to pet it as we waited in line for OVER an hour to get up to see Santa. I had my camera ready when it was the girls turn to go up to Santa and the look was priceless!!!!
You've Got to be kidding me!

OK, next year I'm gettin' myself a RAISE!!!

You hold onto that thing dear!

AND....after about 15 minutes of getting the "perfect" posed shot....Santa pets the skunk!


So there you have it...by far the most unusual thing I've seen in awhile!

I did say that we waited an HOUR to get up to see Santa right? So, after this clerk had taken so long to get all these pets pictures "just right"....I mean don't get me wrong, but it's not like they HAVE to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, right? The boys finally get their turn to see Santa. I told the clerk that we'd be ordering one 5x7 @ the grand old price of $11.50!!! Now that is a HUGE price increase from last year it was just $7 and it didn't even come in a little portfolio either, just the 5x7 sheet. The kids walk up to Santa and he starts talking to them, while I snap a few pics. Mind you, it was approxiametely 45 seconds and they were giving him their Wish Lists and answering HIS questions.

When the clerk said to me, "Do you want a picture with them sitting in Santa's lap?" I said Yes. She said, "Would you like to get them in Santa's lap then?" I think my jaw dropped, I said they are talking with him right now....pointing to the boys and Santa. So I had to go over and rush them into Santa's lap to make the clerk happy. And in the end MY pics were much better than the one we paid for!

It's not that I really mind all the pets OR the wait in line to see Santa, but really after this clerk took so long getting all the animals to look at the camera, she can't spare a few minutes for my boys to TALK to Santa? Which they've been waiting for weeks to do??? I was quite irritated at that point and Gene had to handle the transaction with the lady and retrieve the 5x7 portrait.

I couldn't believe how rude that was of her and I'm considering emailing the mall customer service about it. What would you do?

Ok....so moving along....here's a few of the boys while we waited in line.
I'm NOT smiling!

I'm NOT looking!!!

And you CAN'T make me!

Ok, just one smile...

Kyle had fun with the FunHouse Mirrors while we waited.


Love his expression in those photos. So that about wraps it up for me today! I gotta scoot back to work.

Have a great day and thanks for reading!

I soooo want to scrap this!

How perfectly beautiful does this picture put that scripture together?

I also like this one

Just love that site!

Thanks CraftTeaLady....I found them from your blog!
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Well, we are taking the boys to see Santa and visit this HUGE Christmas display at a local shopping center tonight after the kids get home from school and Gene gets home from work. I'll share the "Santa" pic next time!

Sorry short and sweet today!

'Tis Golden & Figgy Pudding

I have this beautiful Quick Page I made up and it really needs a picture and some journaling to add that special touch! I love this kit from Merkeley Designs....so rich and the gold tones in here are just gorgeous!!! You have to see it up close to truly appreciate the delicate work she puts into her designs.

Anyone interested? I thought maybe you'd like to see what the page will look like to help you pick out your holiday picture to fit this layout.

I'm thinking a trip to see Santa would look nice in here. We haven't done that YET! I'm trying to talk Gene into taking the kids and I for our trip to see Santa tonight. The boys have been running hairy scary through the house and I just haven't had too many opportunities to get out the camera. First, everytime I get out the camera, Kyle thinks that is a good opportunity to start sticking out his tongue, act goofy and make faces at me. AND he encourages Joshua to do the same....so it's so difficult to get any good pics. Plus with all the holiday hustle and bustle....man it's just enough to get the daily life things taken care of anymore! I'm sure you all know what that's like!

We did attend Kyle's Christmas Concert at school this past week and boy did the first grade do a great song! They sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas!" All the stanzas complete with body motions. Made me think of the "Figgy Pudding" IOD DST Gold Kit. Kyle did such a good job and I wanted to share this video with you. But unfortunately, I cannot get it to upload. Anyone have any good video editing software they can recommend? I want to be able to save my digital camera videos and upload them to my blog.

I need some pictures to scrap! Oh, and freebies here too!

First....before I forget again....you all have to run over to DigiScrapShak and grab some raffle tickets for the Jen Wilson Gift Cards. She's so generous to donate 10....count them 10 $50 Gift Cards to her store to benefit a fellow Digi-Designer, Michelle Conrad whose house was destroyed in a horrible flood. Jen & DigiScrapShak have teamed up to help raise money for her and her family, including SEVEN kids to make their Christmas a little better this year. Along with those raffle tickets many of the Design & Creative team have made available several products that you can get in addition to your raffle ticket. Lot's to choose from there.....so after your read the rest of my blog post....be an ANGEL and head on over!

I think I'm running out of pictures to scrap with! I have this gorgeous kit called 'Tis Golden by Merkeley Designs (pictured below) and I want some really great pictures to scrap with for it. Maybe I'm just bored with my own pics, I'm not sure.....but does anyone have some pics they would like used with this kit? Be sure to leave me a comment here on my blog and your email so that I have a way to contact you!

I wanna RAK, as I've been RAK'd! LOL!



I found this cute little "Elf" thing on Tina's blog....so I had to give it a try!

Your Elf Name Is...

Pixie Stocking Stuffer

What's" Your Elf Name?

I think I like Tina's Elf name better....LOL!

Well, I've promising these to you for a few days now and I've finally packaged them up and made a preview. Here are some VERY random snowflake ornaments that I've created just for you! I used Terry Maruca's Action Assymetry to create these and boy is this little action FUN! The best part about this is that you don't have to be an artist to create some pretty stunning works of beauty! Just scribble, doodle, draw, use a brush whatever and run the action. AMAZING! I was so glad I got a chance to be a beta tester for this action! With Terry's permission.....here's your snowflakes!

Download Here

(If you download, please be a sweetie and leave me a comment! Thanks!)

And here's a layout I did using one of the snowflakes I created and some glitter paper overlays of Terry's!

I've been RAK'd AND Tagged!!!

Well, Amy Cheeseman had put out a message that she was looking to do layouts for two people using Trish Jones products. AND....not only would we get our layouts scrapped for us.....we'd ALSO get the Trish Jones kit that she used in creating the layout! Now, how cool is that???

So, of course I shamelessly begged....please scrap my boys! I sent her a file of photos of my boys writing their Christmas letters to Santa. I had retouched the photos already using the new PhotoBlast Antique Color action and she said they were perfect to use with Trish's Outback Christmas kit! So, here's the results:

Page 1:

Page2:

(Links for products and credits will be posted as soon as available.)

Aren't those just the sweetest layouts??? I love how she did the collage with little bits of their own Christmas letter to Santa. Too precious!

Thanks so much Amy AND Trish for giving her this assignment!

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So, I've also been tagged. Not once.....but TWICE!

First, by Tina (aka QueenBusick). She asked me to tell about my most recent indulgence. I wanted to get a pic of it so that you will understand WHY it's an indulgence. So here goes:

My most recent indulgence was while I was out Black Friday shopping. Well, we all know we are supposed to be Christmas shopping for others, but really how can one resist some deals???

So, I was in Sears and seen this beautiful CREAMY WHITE suit, complete with white velvet and satin trim! Now, as the mother of two young boys....any of you moms out there would KNOW why this is an indulgence! LOL! Even the VERY young cashier said to me as she was checking me out, "Oh, I'd be SO afraid to wear this!" LOL!

I paid $50 total for the pants, matching jacket and gold silk cami to go underneath. This will be my Christmas outfit to wear to church for our annual Christmas Eve evening service.

What? You wanna see it? Oh, yeah....I did say I took pics! LOL!

It's a bit scary thinking now, as we may not have a WHITE CHRISTMAS if you know what I mean? And the possibility of mud sticking around, with two little guys who can't resist ANY puddle. I'll keep you posted on how the evening goes! LOL!

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And the second Tag....

Was from a designer I'm on CT, Sarah VanDyke. She had a Christmas questionare tag for me. Here goes:

Holiday Quiz

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, definetely.....with Peppermint whipped cream and a chocolate dipped candy cane stirrer. LOL!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them, but has been known to leave a bow on the larger items (ex. bicycles, snowboard, sleds) ;-)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White, I'm funny about that....sometimes will mix a strand of another straight color around, like one red strand. Outside, all white!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, but right now, the kids hung it on the tree....so it won't do much good there! LOL!

5. When do you put your decorations up? Whenever I feel like getting to them, I know "grinch", but this year they are up and done already! I've been known to wait til a few days before Christmas. (But that was pre-children era! LOL!)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Do I have to pick just one??? I love the ham at Christmas, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs.....shall I go on?

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: I don't actually remember this as a child, but looking back at the old photos, the most memorable would be the year I was 5 and had pink eye. It was so bad, it looked like someone punched me in the eye. There also is the year I got my Cabbage Patch doll. Of course, I was beyond the stage in childhood that you "believed" in Santa. It was the year everyone was going crazy over the CP dolls. My mom and I were shopping at a local WalGreens ( I think) and there was one in a box left behind by the masses. We both stared at it, 'cause we couldn't believe it was there. $25 said the price tag. What a steal! LOL! Mom picked it up and purchased it, but later told me she had to take it back because they didn't have the money. Early Christmas morning my brother and I were poking around the tree before everyone else awoke and I KNEW it was that same doll! The package had a slant in the front of the box! So of course that gave it away!

8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I believe at school, I read a story about Santa being a dad who got stuck trying to come down his families chimney and dying in the chimney before anyone realized where he was when missing three days. I'm not sure who wrote the story or how I got hold of it. But pretty much accepted the fact that Santa wasn't real without too much trauma.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I made it a tradition the first Christmas with Kyle that we would each open one gift on Christmas Eve and it would be new PJ's all around. This is practical in the fact that then everyone would not be wearing ugly worn out things to bed that night and pictures would be good with new PJ's!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Ummm, is there more than one way to do it?

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it after the first snow and everything sparkles, hate it when I have to drive in the yucky slushy brownish grey nasty stuff though.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but haven't in a LONG time!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmmmm, I've been blessed with many, I can't really think of just one for a favorite.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Jesus, our one most precious gift.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hickory Farms Peppermint Kisses

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve service at our church singing the Christmas hymns.

17. What tops your tree? an Angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Both!! LOL!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Come All Ye Faithful & Silent Night, though many of the old hymns are on that list.

So there you have it!!! Sorry it took so long to get this out girls!

And now I tag.....Amy Cheeseman & Carole Neale for the Christmas Quiz & Tina(QueenBusick) & Sarah VanDyke for the most recent indulgence.

Ta-Ta!

Happy Holidays!!! Lotsa pictures today!

Season's Greetings!!!!

There's a little card I made for y'all using Terry Maruca's Snow Globe, Holiday Magic, & Vintage Holiday kits! I still wanna work on that snow animation. I wanted it to look like when you shake up a snowglobe. Those are my guys building a snowman last year!

I also made these cute gift tags using the ornaments from Terry's Vintage Holiday Add-On

Aren't those so real looking????

So, I've been doing alot of digicrafts for gifts. One thing I've been working on are these paper mache round boxes. I've printed some digi papers and used mod podge to adhere to the box. I put a pretty pink poinsetta inside and wrapped tissure around the bottom edge of the plant so it doesn't shift around inside the round gift box. I used papers from Vintage Holiday by Terry Maruca and my favorite box was made using papers and the butterfly embellishment from the Shine paper pack by Michelle Coleman. I'll share pictures of those another time as it's dark here and want some good lighting for the photos.

I also made up some quick gift cans for Kyle & Joshua's teachers. They both have requested useful stuff for their classrooms, so I bought a few items they had on their lists and a special glass angel ornament and put it all in an empty "unused" paint can. I used labels that LuAnn made and Carole Neale shared on her blog. These make really quick and inexpensive gifts....and I believe the link is still active if you wanna go snag them! The labels are made using "Doodly Christmas"

This is a photo I snagged from Carole's blog so you can see what the can looks like, but I'll share my finished and "stuffed" can as soon as I get it all wrapped up!

So, I've been B-U-S-Y!!!!! I honestly can say that I am much further ahead than I ever am at this time of the year. Part of it is that I want to have more time to spend with the kids, baking cookies, reading christmas stories, and watching some holiday movies with them. I know they won't be little forever and instead of dreading the "holiday crunch" like I usually do....this year I dove right in and started getting stuff out of the way. I've got most of the kids gifts bought (at least the big ticket gifts), Gene's gifts are done AND wrapped! And I have a few gifts that I need to finish up and ship out to my mom and brother Joe. (Sorry, can't share a pic yet, as mom reads this blog too!)

We also got the Christmas tree up on Tuesday. Josh was so cute. I stayed home from work that morning and we were laying in my bed (partly to stay warm! I have flannel sheets and a heated mattress pad! So cozy! LOL!) coloring and reading books. When he said, mom do you think we could have someone come over and put up our Christmas tree? Now, wouldn't your heart melt? Mine did. I said honey, I promise we'll put up the tree today. He was so excited that everywhere we went, out to breakfast and shopping that he told them "We're putting up our Christmas tree today!"

So we did......and tonight we decorated it.....minus the tree topper(Daddy & Josh will be putting the Angel up tomorrow)

I think it looks kinda pretty! See the unfilled gift cans under there??? Yes, I did make them, just need to stuff 'em! and here are a few of my favorite ornaments....



The angel above was given to me by my mom in 2001. I always like to put her right in front of the tree. The Snowman Fingerprint ornament was a craft and gift that Kyle made for me in Kindergarten. His teacher wrapped it up and put a little poem on the bag....

These aren't just snowmen
As anyone can see.
I made them with my hand
Which is part of me.
Now each year when you trim the tree
You'll look back and recall
Christmas of 2005
When my hand was just this small.

I just love those cute little crafts that can become such great memories. Aren't teachers wonderful???

I know I've been tagged two times....so that will be coming this week sometime!