A Very Merry Christmas

This Christmas marks the first year we have had no children in residence for the holidays. (To be honest, I was not looking forward to the prospect...turns out, my fears were unfounded). Adjusting to life with the hubster sans the tax deductions rattling around the house has been liberating. I am no longer faced with offspring complaining about being bored, or being hungry, or springing the news that they were expected somewhere twenty minutes ago. I can make plans, change plans, or just "fly by the seat of my pants".

Mike (a.k.a. "the hubster") requested that I make a couple of Christmas cards to send out to his folks, which of course turned into a few more than a couple. Above is pictured the results of my efforts.

Here's hoping everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Elf-like Activities

Finally cleared enough of my area of craft to be able to sit down to work again (yea, me!)



So here is what I did....

Christmas in July

I've been seeing and hearing alot about Christmas in July - some people groan out loud at the thought, but I think I'm part elf because it got me planning gifts for my family and designs for greeting cards.

Using one of the recent Split Coast Stampers tutorial, I started tinkering....here's what I came up with.

I still need to come up with adding a sentiment on the inside...er, I mean back of the card.

The Reveal - Samantha's Christmas Gift

(yeah, yeah, yeah - I KNOW it's March - but at least this got done and shipped before her birthday...in August)


I worked on this for months - trying to get it just the way I wanted. These pictures are prior to my talented hubby building out the frame into a shadowbox to protect the trinkets from dust.



There is a heart and a little wire icon for each of them....

(No - the icons are not a comment in any way on their unique personalities)



if they were, I would have had to pick something WAY more hyper for my nephew!

Here are some pictures after my talented husband finished constructing the shadowbox portion of the project...

the back is even protected by a piece of plexi-glass. The little round flower medallions are there to hide some ugly holes in the cardboard backing and the heart proclaims that this gift was "Handcrafted by us"

Late Christmas / Early Birthday Present

A couple of months ago, when I was out Christmas shopping with my son, we came upon this photo frame and I thought it would be a hoot to frame a goofy picture of him for his dad. Well, neither me nor my son are lightening fast at pulling projects together, so long story short - this Christmas present was just picked up by our friendly FedEx guy yesterday. It is winging its way ... actually rolling along ... toward it's destination in New Mexico (along with a few other trinkets). The smaller pictures are mostly school pictures dating back to kindergarten.

Mom's Christmas Card

I designed this card specifically for my mom. I may duplicate the layout, but for now, this is the one and only (just like my mom).

Location, location, location

I'm not a huge fan of ribbon embellishment, but I had this idea for a Christmas card and then played with the placement of the ribbon.

On the side ?

or on the diagonal ?

or maybe, on the bottom ?

What do you think ????

C'mon, I really want to know - go ahead, be honest - I can take it.

A Peek at a Christmas Gift

I can't show the whole thing - in case my sister decides to check out my blog - I'll post the complete picture after Christmas...

Shopping, shopping & more shopping

Between our online "excursions" and the face the mob outings, I've been doing my fair share of Christmas shopping. On one of my recent trips - blissfully unaccompanied by either my husband or son - don't get me wrong, I love them both, but sometimes I just need to face the hoards alone...anyway - I was at the BX where we shop regularly where they have the beloved back room which is currently filled with holiday booty (decorations, candy, and various gift items). Needless to say, I am drawn to this room like a moth to a flame. So I'm standing there, trying to channel the wants and desires of those lucky gift recipients still on our list and then I spy this.....

Yes, it's the unlikely combination of items vacuum-packed into a Christmas gift idea. It is possibly the cheesiest gift I've purchased to date. Sure hope it's Gouda. (LOL)