Beautiful But Busy Life

It’s Friday, which means time for my Beautiful Life post.  I have been reminded so many times this week just how beautiful my life is and I’ve thanked God many times.

Can you believe Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks?  I have the menu planned, the centerpieces figured out, the dishes decided on, the name cards started, my thankful book 90% complete…..so moving on to Christmas.  

I am already thinking about my Christmas Journal.  I love journaling my Christmas every year with Shimelle’s Online Class, PLEASE take a peek.  The best thing is you pay for the class for the first year and then it’s free.  I know it sounds overwhelming….BUT…..if you’ll work on the layout ahead of time you really are just journaling each day.  I have tweeked “my system” each year and this year here is the plan. 

• 8 1/2 X 11 book
• Numbers cut from my cricut
• Pre done pages but not adhering the numbers (this gives you more freedom….trust me…..)
• Basket of supplies will be kept in the dining room, when dinner is over I will sit down and do my page-I bet I get it done each night in under 30 minutes….

I have four friends that I’m going to challenge this year to make their own…..Mama Wood, Kate, Sherri and Hooper don’t act like you didn’t read this…….we could get together and pre make our pages in one evening……..

I have to say I’ve done two journals so far, but I don’t think I’ll ever top this page.  My all time favorite, my baby’s last letter to Santa.  I turned it into a pocket and put the receipts in the pocket, won’t it be fun to show her how much things cost back in the “good ole’ days”.  Notice she included a letter from our dog…precious!

This is always one of my favorite pages each year.  Aren’t we all blessed?  I think sometimes in the craziness of The Season we lose track of what it’s suppose to really be about.

One of the prompts each year is about snow, so I invited all three kids over and we made snow out of paper for the journal.  Talk about a great memory, we ate tons of puppy chow and it snowed for hours.  Yes my grown son sit with his little sister for hours and made snowflakes.  I have that memory journaled!

 The first year I did the journal for the Baby Girl her and Santa still had a bond, then last year I did the journal for The First Born.  I’m a little nervous about this years book, you guessed it I’m doing it for Mr. Perfect…..boy pages???

I love this page because we had decided not to do “Christmas Morning” so I was feeling a little sad that things were changing…well they changed again, the week before Christmas ”the big kids” decided to do Christmas morning wonder what we’ll do this year? 

 I like the page below, it’s unbelievable to think my First Born is now 22. 

Each year we pick a day and take pictures of that day, I always like to show what my “work area” looks like….. 

I hope I’ve inspired someone else to join the fun, it’s THE BEST GIFT I GIVE MYSELF EACH YEAR…..pinkie swear!  If I inspired anyone or you already do the journal leave me a comment…..I’m going to do a blog page this year on just the Christmas Journal and I’d like to include links to others.

I Can Make That Party

If you read here regularly you know I can’t resist a good ole’ fashion blog party (weekly list, let me know if I’m missing any)….this one is right up my alley.

I will be posting handmade Christmas gifts each week on Monday from now until the week of Christmas, yes I’ll still be working on my gifts right up until the week of Christmas, don’t act shocked a lot of you will be also.

This week I’m going to do a card folder.  I have two examples to show how the ideas are limitless…I of course used all Stampin’ Up products (Blaise gave me the one on the left and I’ve been addicted to these things every since) and would be happy to help you do the same….email me at paperglueetc@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.  Directions with measurements at end of post……

If you are a paper crafter, I bet you have EVERYTHING to make this gift.  I am using it as a hostess gift for Christmas parties, teacher gift, etc.

Supplies Needed-

• 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock for folder
• 4 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of cardstock for cards
• Envelopes
• Pattern scrapbook paper and cardstock to decorate front
• 24 inch piece of ribbon
• Eyelets or brads
• Stamps
• Ink

Take a piece of cardstock and score it at 6 inches and 6 1/4 inches.

Once you have your paper scored you want to cut from the bottom of the piece of paper to the top score line, measure 5 1/4 from each side of your paper and cut.  It will look like this.

You are almost done!  Fold the tab up secure with eyelets or brads, I like brads a lot less noise.

Ok for the outside you want to cut a piece of cardstock 5 3/4 and a piece of pattern paper 5 1/2, add your 24 inch ribbon to the back (sticky tape works best to hold it in place…you know the red kind on the roll).  Add your cards to the pockets and you have a great gift.

Stop by each Monday between now and Christmas, I’ll be showing off Wooden Signs, Ornaments, scrapbook project, letter photography and a sewing project if I can get my crafting buddy Sherri to help me.

Etsy, Organizing and Going Crazy

OK, Mr. Wonderful being sick for a month has not only stressed me out, it’s put my whole organizing mission on hold.  So tonight I can’t sleep probably has something to do with the two hour nap I took so I decided to start dreaming about organizing, I do that on occasion. 

I’m going to include this post in a new linky thingy I found last week, Twice Remembered.

What about this room?  It belongs to this lucky girl.

What about this post, lots of eye candy.

How about a Scrappin’ Shed?

I am not happy with my decision to move “My Happy Place” to a smaller room.  I love what I have done with it, it’s just not the right size.  I still haven’t found the right desk, I am leaning towards a drop leaf table from Ikea.  Remember my dresser that Mr. Wonderful painted?

I think it needs to be labeled with some vinyl, what do you think?

The First Born is really pushing for an Etsy Shop, wants to do it together.  I’m checking into it.  I just don’t want my hobby to become a job.  Anyone else feel that way?

Here is what I accomplished this weekend.

I made 10 of these, yes I hand cut 30 trees.  I must be crazy.  The card was made with all Stampin’ Up! products and can be ordered from little ole’ me.  Feel free to email me with questions paperglueetc@yahoo.com.

I love to have little notebooks in my purse, especially at Christmas.  Isn’t this cute?

Stop by my Stampin’ Up! site to see more fun projects!

TGIF!!

It’s here and no one can change it, it’s FRIDAY!!!  I am hoping for a relaxing almost lazy weekend.  I can hope right?

Today I’m going to participate in A Beautiful Life and Hooked on Fridays-it’s all about cards, cards and more cards.  When was the last time you went to Hallmark?  Cards are expensive.  I love making cards and knowing the smile it puts on someone’s face when they open that card.  I started as a demonstrator with Stampin’ Up! to support my hobby, now I am passionate about sharing this opportunity with others.  If you want to learn how to earn free stamps or become a demonstrator email me, you don’t have to be local!  I have tons of resources that I would love to share and lots of ideas!  (paperglueetc@yahoo.com)  If you happen to be in the Cincinnati/Dayton area just an extra bonus, I’d love to help you get your business started.

This weekend I am going to be working on my upcoming Christmas in October class, I won’t tell you how many times the date has changed because of the busy ladies that are taking this class.

I am going to master this card this weekend.  Do you like or maybe even love the tree?  I do!

I am going to work on my technique book for my upcoming workshops and classes.

What are you doing this weekend to be creative and take some time out of our busy lives just for YOU!!!  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Two Hands!

It’s my party so I’ll change things if I want to.  Today’s post is not in the original order I had it scheduled for, details of why later. 

 

I am a girly girl, so I read girly girl blogs.  I have a total of three blogs that I visit that are written by men Brian Buriff (my pastor), 452 Days and The Mother Letter Project, all three of these men will be posting this month during my “Love Fest”.  

 

Today’s post is from Seth, the creator of The Mother Letter Project who I will be nominating for Husband of The Year.  I have said on numerous occasions The Mother Letter Project will forever be my favorite Christmas story.  Read below and it’ll become one of your favorites also. 

 

The Mother Letter Project–Celebrating The Kind Hands of Strangers

 

Some times, two hands are not enough.  Sometimes, it takes one-thousand (or twelve-hundred as the case may be).

 

After my 2008 New Years visit to a small village in Mozambique, I found my self reexamining my family’s celebration of the holidays.  After seeing a people of such great need, I wondered whether there might be a way to honor that village by spending less and giving more.  Upon returning, my wife, Amber, and I decided to approach the 2008 Christmas season differently.  Instead of getting lost in the gifting and gadgetry of Christmas in 2008, we decided to “create Christmas” and donate what we would have spent to the village in Mozambique.

My idea for creating Christmas for Amber was lofty.  Perhaps a bit too lofty.  I decided to compile a book of open letters from mothers, to mothers.  My goal was to ask mothers to share their stories, and in so doing, share encouragement with Amber and others.  I hoped to collect these letters and present them to Amber on Christmas day.  The project became affectionately known as “The Mother Letter Project.”

 

From the outset, I knew that it would take more than my two hands to complete such a lofty task.  I knew I would be relying on the generosity of others to show Amber how much she meant to me.  I began requesting letters from Amber’s friends.  On a whim, I also asked some of Amber’s favorite women writers to submit a letter.  All three writers, Ann Kroeker, Ann Voskamp, and Shannon Lowe quickly agreed.  What’s more, Shannon, from Rocks In My Dryer fame, asked if she could publicize the project, asking other mothers to contribute their own letters.  What happened as a result was truly unbelievable.

Over the next month, I would receive approximately six-hundred letters from around the world.  On Christmas day, I presented those letters to Amber.  She laughed and cried as she poured through the stories submitted by complete strangers.  She found encouragement in identifying with the struggles and joys of other mothers.

Through this compilation of letters, we have learned lesson after lesson. The cumulative years of experience that have been poured into our lives has been truly amazing. And the hands that wrote those letters have extended through their writings and have become hands of encouragement–hands cheering us on.  The kind hands of strangers have changed us forever.

 

And now that we have been so profoundly affected, I am left with this question–how can my two hands be used in concert with those of others to affect greater change.  How can I reach across the miles to change the lives of strangers that I will never meet? How can my two hands work in concert with hundreds more to bring hope to others?

 

I have an idea.

 

Do you?

 

Bio:

 

Seth Haines is an attorney who lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  He is the organizer of the Mother Letter Project, and is currently attempting to collect additional letters in an effort to raise funds for Compassion International’s Malaria Intervention Fund.  Seth is married to his lovely wife Amber  and they are raising three young boys.

 

Casey County and Christmas

We are home and I have to say I am a little sad.  It happens sometimes when I leave Casey County and come home.  I don’t think it would be so bad if I got down there more often.  It’s silly things that make me realize how far 198 miles really makes me. 

This was Tate Christmas 2007.

Tate Christmas 2008. 

It’s Tate being this big in 2008 and me enjoying him thru my camera lense because he doesn’t know me and I couldn’t pick him up and squeeze him that reminds me I miss out on the little things. 

It’s Lyss wanting to spend time with Papaw without me and it just not being possible because it’s too far away.  She is sad tonight and that makes me sad.

Papaw giving her a Texas Holdem lesson, I’m sure at nine there is a reason she needs to know how to play poker. 

Jordan innocently saying he wouldn’t recognize Lena on the street.  How sad is that? 

I have to end on a funny note, Gus the kitty at Mikey’s house is in for a long life.  Tate loves him, but Gus is stupid enough to keep coming back for more of Tate’s love.

So tonight I am sad.  I was thinking on the drive home tonight that I feel sad when I leave there because I have nothing but good memories.  It’s there that I learned what a family really is.  It’s there that I learned about unconditional love.  It’s there that I learned how to pick strawberries (Kat I threw that in for your benefit..love ya).  It’s there that I developed my love of books.  It’s there that the foundation of my faith was built.  It’s there that I learned normalcy. 

I was reminded sitting around the table at Aunt G’s that I got ripped off in the “mom department”, but God really blessed me with good women in my life.  My three aunts, my step-mother and my most favorite person in the world my grandmother, when I leave Casey County I leave them.  I leave them physically, but who I am is in part to those women.

Pray for Kitty Gus!

They Opened!

All those weeks of shopping and wrapping were wiped out in about 15 minutes. 

I did very good though, only one return and that’s because Shane already had one of his shirts from Hollister, he laughed because he has the shirt and Lena bought him one for Christmas last year and he had to return it and now I bought it again. 

Shane’s reaction to the gift Alyssa made him for Christmas, she made him a scrapbook about what a great brother he is.  How cute is that?

Carl’s reaction to his case of Diet Coke from Shane, can you see Shane laughing?

I won’t tell you who made who late going to Tom’s house, but don’t they both look adorable??

Oh yeah, I got a Cricut, can you say excited?  I also got a facial from Mitchell’s from Lena, she scored brownie points for sure.  I have three new troll beads from Lyss and Shane and a bunch of other goodies from my hubby!

We went to see Marley & Me today, great movie, my sweet husband cried.

Merry Christmas

In 37 minutes it will be Jesus’ Birthday.  Happy Birthday Jesus. 

I sit here tonight, the presents are wrapped, the candy is made (if you’ve never made cracker candy you don’t know what your missing, the cards never made it to the mailbox, Christmas pictures weren’t taken, but in 37 minutes Christmas will be here.

I am waiting on Baby Boy to get home.  He is spending the night.  I was going to do two Christmases, a Christmas morning for Lyss and a Christmas afternoon for Lena and Shane.  Baby Boy said, “I wanna wake up and open some presents.”  Lena is not happy.

My husband has gone to bed.  I told him next year I’m going to find someone fun to spend Christmas with (I was just joking, I’ll still be married to Scrooge next year).  I still have to get Alyssa’s one Santa gift, it’s a laptop, long story, a gift for Lena that is huge and their stockings upstairs.  I am waiting to make sure that Alyssa the official Santa tracker is asleep.

Lena told me tonight this is the first year she feels like she bought her parents a “real gift”.  I know she got her dad and his girlfriend a gift certificate to a nice restraunt, wonder what she got me?  I could look the present is right in front of me, no one would know.  I better not.

I have thought about Mary and Joseph a lot to tonight.  The sacrifices they made, the love they had for each other.  Joseph loving Jesus even though he was not his biological child.  Mary delivering a child in a manger, I had three children naturally, no fun and I wasn’t in a cold, stinky barn.  Jesus is the reason and I feel so blessed to be a Christian.

Christmas Magic

Sunday was such a great day for me.  Alyssa was Mary in the children’s program at church and before the program began her and Aaron were asked to do a presentation for the pastors.  I know Alyssa has a heart that is dedicated to Jesus, but it made me proud to see someone else acknowledge that.  Lena and Shane both came to church to support Alyssa, talk about feeling proud.

The whole pagent was really cute and the costumes made you smile.

I got to experience some Christmas magic today.  Who doesn’t love Christmas magic?  I exchanged gifts today with the girls I work with.  I’ll post pictures later, Betsy came thru again with a great sign.  This years sign says, “Because Nice Matters”, it is going to hang in my kitchen.  She is so good.  Then Deb gave me a sweater that I had in my hand at Kohl’s earlier in the day, but didn’t buy because I don’t buy for myself from my birthday until Christmas.  I almost broke the rule for this sweater, but didn’t.  I loved the gifts I gave Betsy and Deb, I actually feel high when I shop and find the “perfect gift” and I felt that way about both of their gifts.  Betsy’s gift was a sterling silver volleyball bracelet, she liked it and it fit (I thought it looked small).  My favorite gift that I bought this year was Deb’s.  Deb shared a few months ago that she had a son and he died.  I got the impression that no one acknowledges this child in Deb’s life and it made me sad.  She shared he was born in May.  I found her emerald earrings, and I picked tear shaped emeralds.  I told her I wanted to acknowledge her son and she cried.  Giving her this gift made me think of so many things.

Of course it made me think about Baby James and what this Christmas would be like if he was here.  He would be three years old, I’d have Tonka trucks hidden away in a closet, or maybe a Thomas The Train.  I would have more then one Christmas ornanment with his name on my tree.  I would have stood in line for a picture with Santa.  There would be four mommy presents instead of three.  My heart wouldn’t hurt quite so much tonight as I sit in the living room, looking at my tree and missing my little guy.  I know he’s in heaven spending Christmas with Jesus and probably wearing a pair of houseshoes Mema made him, but I miss him.

Those earrings made me think about my sister Briget, emeralds are her birthstone.  Today I realized I’m angry at her.  I’m angry, I’m not hurt.  I am so angry I don’t even want to share my feelings here, it would be ugly.  I miss my nieces and nephews. 

I think I’m going to make cracker candy tomorrow for my dad.  Deb gave me some today and it is delicious.  I think dad would like it.  I feel like I’ve failed at finding him a “good” Christmas gift so maybe he would be impressed with some cracker candy.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Please leave a comment and let me know how you are keeping Jesus in Christmas.  I think the commercial end of the holiday makes so many of us forget what this holiday is all about.  I have some plans to remind my bunch about why we celebrate..share your ideas I may steal a few.  See Below!

 

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
but He’s always around, so the date is flexible…

Time: Whenever you’re ready.
(Please don’t be late, though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart…. He’ll meet you there.
(You’ll hear Him knock.)

 

  Attire: Come as you are… grubbies are okay.
He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He’s
already paid for everyone…
(He says you wouldn’t have been
able to afford it anyway…
it cost Him everything He had. But
you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
far-out drink He calls “Living Water,”
followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He’s one of those
people who already has everything else.
(He’s very generous in return though.
Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

 Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
(All “G” rated, so bring your family and friends.)

 R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can
reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He’s keeping a list of His friends for future
reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”

Party being given by His Kids (that’s us!!)!
Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
see at the party, share this with someone today!