Thursday Quickie

I'm ridiculously behind in my Christmas shopping. Like "haven't started" way behind. Seriously. But I just had to post this video of my nephew Clayton learning to play pat-a-cake for the family...it's too cute! Everyone else can take a peek too, I suppose. Although I'm sure it's much more adorable if you're blood-related.

And since we're on the subject of pat-a-cake, here's a related layout of said hand-clapping game based on Sketch #6 at Inspired Blueprints:

I busted out some ancient WRMK papers, dusted off the cobwebs and went to work. Isn't that Heidi Grace ladybug stamp just the cutest thing you ever saw?

And how beautiful is my friend Alice? If you said "pretty darned", you'd be correct! Love this girl a ton, she really is the best ever!

Now I really, really, really gotta get shopping! Peace, homies!

What I'm Doing While I'm NOT Out Christmas Shopping Like I Should Be

This is the 10th day of Christmas projects over at Scrapbook Deals 4 U. Instructions are posted if you want to make one for yourself...It's FUN and EASY!

And there'l lots of room for creative license with the decorations. I used buttons, flowers and rhinestones, but you could do bows, glittery snowflakes, brads, tinsel...whatever your creativity stirs up!

And Kathy turned me on to a fun little sketch site called Inspired Blueprints. This layout is for the Sketch #5 Challenge.

Isn't my little buddy getting so big? Ask him and he'll show you with his arms up over his head! 7 months old already and getting ready for his first Christmas, I can't wait to see how he likes it.

Happy Shopping!

I know I say it every month, but seriously, Martha's SD4U kits just keep getting better and better every month! This month, I got to play with the Christmas "MEGA" kit...and is it ever! Check this baby out:

Isn't it amazing and adorable? And talk about lots of embellishments...full packs of "Say it in Crystals" from Prima and Daisy D's rubons...plus pearls, felt trim, "In Stitches" templates, floss, buttons, ribbon, transparencies and THREE different Christmas paper lines! Lemme tell ya, I have been having such a blast with this kit!

I made this fun mitten banner for my front door. If you want to make one, the SU message board is posting a holiday projects per day, honoring the 12 days of Christmas. You can find the instructions in the 5th day of Christmas. It's been so much fun!

I also made a couple of "Christmas-y" layouts. The first is of Ashley modeling the cap and nightgown her great grandma made her when she was just an itty bit. I have a picture of me wearing the same little kind of set when I was about her age. I think there's a "then and now" layout in my near future! The other one is just a few of my favorite Christmas things worth documenting...snowmen, good friends, beautiful table settings, and favorite ornaments...I just adore everything about the holiday season!

Then there's this collage I made and stuck in a frame I got at Michael's with my 40% coupon. I love the idea pulling this out year after year and putting it up with the other holiday decorations. I never get tired of these pictures of my family in their santa hats!

The Pink Paislee papers included in the kit are a fun color combination for both holiday and non-holiday projects alike. They're so bright and cheerful, and well...happy! So much so, they inspired the title for this layout!

And of course, the scraps were perfect for this birthday card I made for good friend's birthday this weekend!

I know, I've been a horrible blogger lately...but I think after the holidays, a blog-related New Year's Resolution is in order! Along with a couple of others...

Thanks for popping in and saying hi!

Life is Good

Last night our nation witnessed history in the making! I have never been more proud to be an American, and the euphoria has me floating still well into the day! I am so excited to see where Obama leads our Nation in the coming term, and feel so fortunate to participate in the changes that will shape our country's future.

That being said, I will quietly sneak down from my soapbox.

Life is good for other reasons, too! Look at my healthy, happy baby girl:

I do realize the photo quality is horrible, but I took the picture with my phone on a whim. She's been home for a month and clean and sober for the first time in quite a few years. I am so proud of her courage, strength and determination to do things differently. I continue to pray everyday for her, because I know this is just the very, very beginning of a very, very long journey, but each day has been a blessing and it's been nice getting to know her again. She's funny, adorable, and I missed her more than my heart would allow me to know.

Plus, the SD4U November kit has been a blast to work with! Bold and bright, it's right up my alley! A lot of you know I was sick earlier in the week, so I haven't had a ton of time to play, but I have gotten this layout done:

And I have two more in the works that I'll share when I'm done.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your life is good today, too ;-)

Happy Halloween!

As spirits roam the neighborhoods at night,
Let loose upon the Earth till it be light...
~Nicholas Gordon

Something's Coming...

No, I'm not talking about a poltergeist or a chain saw weilding homocidal maniac...it's the November "Nonsense" kit from SD4U! A lot less frightening than a poisionous two-headed snake, it's jam packed with sweet treats instead! Take a peek:

Martha's kits are selling out over and over each month, so you'll want to pop over early on November 1st and order yours quick...it would be a horrible tragedy if you didn't get one...I'd hate to see you lose your head over it!

I *heart* Scenic Route

And their Sonoma line is featured in October's kit from Itty Bitty Scrap Shack...could I be any more excited? Well, maybe. If you add an entire box of Prima Sprites, coordinating mini brads, and matching buttons, cardstock, and journaling stickers! Just look at this beauty:

I've already created a few layouts and cards, and still have oodles of paper left! I have a feeling his kit will keep me busy for quite a while...But here's what I've done so far:


So that's my little share for today!

It's starting to get chilly outside, and today seems like the perfect day to stay indoors, make some cocoa, and get busy on my next layout with this fabulous kit!