Have you heard the big RACHEL ASHWELL NEWS?
She bought a guest ranch in Round Top Texas!
Go HERE to read all about it!
Back soon with Christmas decor pics...
HAVE YOU HEARD?
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Christmas Greetings With Shutterfly!
It's that time to think of getting your Christmas cards and/or letters out! I just love this time of year! It's so much fun to share Christmas greetings with your family and friends! And who doesn't like a nice card squooshed in between your bills and junk mail?!
Well Shutterfly is your one stop shop! So many Christmas Cards to choose from!!
I picked out a few of my favorites.
Besides the cute girl, doesn't this card just make you smile. It's simple, modern and could be used for Christmas or New Year's!
I. Love. This.
If only my 2 little boys would cooperate with a "lying down" picture. I would hands down do this! Maybe next year?
If you are like us, we have several great photos to share! I love the multi-photo option!
My hubby was thinking of doing a Christmas letter this year. I think this card is the winner! Don't have the stress of filling up a page of family events but just pick a few of the highlights and make it part of the card! Fun!
Shutterfly also has some wonderful gift ideas for that special someone on your Christmas list!
I love personalized photo calendars!
Their desk calendar would be perfect for hubby's work!
My son turns 7 next week and these personalized birthday invitations would of been perfect!
Cards and gifts galore found at Shutterfly!
There's a chance for YOU to get 50 FREE Shutterfly cards for your Christmas Giving! Go HERE to find out!
7 Quick Takes Friday - #8
Jumping right in...
- It's beginning to look a lot like December, and I guess it really is. What in the world? I suppose this officially plants me in the "old lady" department, but I'm serious-- time is flying so fast.
- Here's what we've got going, Christmas-wise: our older two boys made paper chains, now gracing our living room. We all made paper snowflakes and they're hanging from the ceilings this year (last year we taped them to windows-- shhh.... I think I liked that better.) Christmas tree & Christmas banner are up. Most presents have been purchased. We're planning to have a party to get to know the other people in our building better (language practice, here I come!).
What about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Decorations up? Plans sorted out? Recipes chosen? Feel free to share in the comments. - Anyone travelled on Amtrak with a family? I'd be interested to hear about your experiences. Please e-mail me or share in the comments, thanks!
- Little Moses is about 4 & 1/2 months old and he is up on all fours, rocking back and forth and scooting and rolling all across our floors. I remember Silas did similarly, but man, this seems too early! (That picture is from Halloween, where Moses dressed up as "Moses"... ya know, baby in a basket?-- he even had a Bible-style headdress and all, LOL.)
- I made some Christmas ornaments this year, and I think they turned out nice. I'll try to share pictures next week once I get my flash card/external harddrive situation sorted out.
- I'm ending week 1 of the No S Diet, and it's been enjoyable. I'm so impressed with how reasonable it is, and it feels sustainable, long-term. Dare I say I'm excited? (I'm also really glad it's Friday and that the next 2 days are "S" days-- click on the link to know what in the heck I'm talking about-- I am really looking forward to dessert tomorrow.)
- Reading through Charles Sykes' book, 50 Rules Kids Won't Learn in School, I came across this quote and thought it is just really great for interacting with people, even within the church:
"People are not easily divided into saints and sinners. Most of them are more complicated and more interesting, a mixture of strengths, weaknesses, insights, and blind spots. If you demand perfection, you'll be disappointed. If you decide to only listen to perfect people, you'll find that you are pretty much on your own."
Seasonal Display
Decked out in seasonal decor, our new door is looking pretty festive. My daughter posed in front to show just how tall the door is. It’s big!
I bought the swag from Wreaths of Maine, but swapped out the plaid ribbon for creamy silk. I also stuck in some lighter greenery here and there. I didn’t intend to be in the picture, but there I am. Hi!
The iron hares came from my mom. (thanks Mom!) I like them so much, I’ll probably keep them up all year. I hung them with droopy linen bows.
The wax candles are battery operated, and give a dreamy glow in the evening. This has been my first experience with battery operated candles, and I can’t believe I haven’t tried them them out until now! They’re my new favorite thing.
The planter baskets came from TJ Maxx. They are presently on clearance for around $6.00:
The kids cut some greenery from the trees in the yard, and we stuffed the baskets full. We also threw in some sticks and pinecones.
Welcome December!
Haul Out The Holly - Guest Post!
I'm so excited! Today is my guest post over at Haul Out The Holly craft event! I'll show you how to make felt poinsettias for a quick way to add Christmas to your decor!
Go HERE to see my tutorial!
Time for myself!
Good morning everyone....well it's darned cold here and I know it won't get much better now that basically WINTER IS HERE - at least temperature wise that is.
I have been keeping up with my website orders and decided that in order to have time for my own decorating, shopping and family needs I am not taking any more Christmas orders.
Orders can be placed but they won't be made or shipped until after January 1st.
I have made up my mind not to push myself so hard anymore - life isn't worth the stress of trying to do ALL THINGS. I know me, and that's going to be difficult...I am a doer and a mover so changes are hard for me.
I finally ordered a Hooked Rug kit and it should be here by weeks end - I'm really excited because in my free time now I can relax and work on it....then after that I will try my hand at designing one from the wonderful supplies my friend sent me....I just needed something that was complete to start with.
Here's the kit I ordered:
I need a stool to get in because it's so high so It's going to be a cover for the stool at my bed.
We are going up north to my brother/sil's today and will hopefully go to a couple shops - I'll post what I find at the beginning of the week.
So nothing else is happening here that's fun or exciting but wanted to let you all know that I'm not taking any more Christmas orders.
I still have my Christmas decorating to do and start my shopping so that's going to be next week and I'm looking forward to it!
Enjoy your week/weekend everyone
Karen
Photo Display Tutorial
Just in case you missed my tutorial over at Chicks Dig Deals last week...
Wood Photo Display
ITEMS YOU NEED:
Scrap piece of wood
Photo
Scrapbook paper
Cardstock
Mod Podge
Craft paint
Foam Brush
DIRECTIONS:
1. For the piece of wood, I used a 2x4. I bought a 2x4 at my local home improvement store. I cut it down to my desired length I wanted. 2x4’s are very cheap. You can get them ranging from 6-10 feet on average at the store for $1.50-$2.25. One board can make several of these blocks. Just a hint: If you got kids with you, groceries in the back and just no room for a big piece of wood in the car…the home improvement store can cut it in half for you for free. J Also check in the sale bin at these store. Sometimes they have several scraps of wood for literally pennies. Some other places to find wood is at construction sites of new homes in their dumpsters or just wood people have thrown out to the curb for trash day. Any size of wood is okay to use. The possibilities are endless with this project.
2. After you have your piece of wood cut to desired length, paint it the color of your choice, and let dry completely. Sand it slightly, just to get the rougher edges off. **Optional** You can go one step further and add an antiquing glaze or stain to the wood after sanding. It gives it a nice “finished” look. Just make sure it is try before going on to the next step.
3. Decide ahead of time the layout for your block before using the mod podge! J Pick out your favorite photo and scrapbook paper.
4. Cut the photo and scrapbook paper just slightly smaller than the width of the block. I don’t measure, and just basically eye-ball it.
5. Print out a favorite saying, quote, names…whatever you desire on cardstock from your computer. Need help finding a good quote. Use google or your favorite search engine (I use www.swagbucks.com-earn free stuff while you search!) and type in “quotes” and thousands and thousands of quotes will be at your fingertips! You can use stickers as well. I found some wonderful “quote” stickers at Hobby Lobby for $2 regular price (use their 40% coupon to get a better deal!).
6. Apply a thin layer of mod podge with the foam brush directly onto the wood first, then one by one, lay your photo and scrapbook paper/cardstock on the front side of the wood. I like to place a heavy book on top of the paper/photo after “gluing” it to the wood for 5-10 minutes to make sure it is secure. Then add another thin layer of mod podge to the top of your photo/paper. You don't want too much, or it will cause bubbling. Let dry completely.
This makes a fun accessory to your home. Or it can make a wonderful gift! I love “giving” on a budget! A wood photo block can cost you from 25-40 cents each! Or Free if you have everything at home! Can’t beat that!
We did this project at my women’s Bible Study group. Here are a few examples of what the girls did!
I hope I inspired you to be a little creative on a budget during this Holiday Season!
Have a wonderful day!
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