Just a quick pic to share with you from the nativity at St. Michael's. Lina was Mary and Merek was . . . a rooster.


Christmas was great.

Vacation is great.

Kinect. Puzzles. Chocolate. Movies. Potty training (not so great). Brad's doing most of the cooking (I did make pancakes this morning).

As I relax and enjoy time with family, my mind is working on "things" for next year . . . goals, resolutions, projects, ideas, meals, etc.

Looking forward to 2012.

Do you have any goals, resolutions, ideas for 2012?

For New Years Eve, we are having our traditional family movie night, eating yummy food, and staying up until midnight. The kids are really looking forward to it.

Enjoy your celebrations!

I used the Scarlet Lime December Frugal FAB to create this album, ready for photos and stories that I want to tell.
The front and back covers have pockets. I added in the Pink Paislee acrylic cards between the pages.
Using some of the patterned papers, I made insert pages for extra photo space. Adding the color rub-ons to the side of the Glitz pages gives them a little more life and color.
I also added in the Pink Paislee rub-on packaging insert (with the yellow border) for an extra page.
I tried to be sure there was space for photos and lots of writing. This book is more for me and the special stories I want to tell in 2012.
The back cover and facing page--another pocket and the colored rub-ons on the Glitz page.
I actually had a different title in mind for the book, but then I liked how the letters spelling out my name looked . . . so I went with that :)


With the Cosmo Cricket papers in the main December kit, I put together these two Christmas cards.
Pretty simple and flat . . . something I'm hoping to do more of this year. I always need a card but they are too dimensional to mail. So, I need to have more flat ones in my stash.

Testing,testing,testing . . .
Computer issues again so I'm trying to see about posting from my phone. (Really? Today's technology allows me to post on my blog from my phone? Apparently).
So, let's see if I can get a photo on here for you:

Guess not.
Hmmm . . .
Well, I've learned a few things from this:
1) print photos when I think about it,
2) work faster,
and
3) figure out how to upload pics to the blog from my phone.
Awesome.
Until next time . . . which may be from a new computer . . .

Today is the kids' last day of school before winter break. I'm heading down this afternoon to help with the holiday craft in Krish's class. I put together a "Let It Snow" garland for each student to make. It should be fun!

Do you still have some Christmas cards to make? Here is a quick one I put together yesterday with the November Hip kit, SRM stickers, some gems, and a brad from my stash:

Enjoy your Tuesday!

ps--Have you tried Haagen Daaz Peppermint Bark ice cream? YUM!

Having Christmas on Sunday really makes this week seem short. My kids have school today and tomorrow. Then they are out for two weeks. Hooray!

My piano students' recital was on Saturday. It was great! I love hearing them perform for their families and then getting to visit with everyone afterwards. My wassail has become a recital tradition--one dad even commented, "I look forward to this every year." Here is the recipe:

1 gallon apple cider
1 quart orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 large can of pineapple juice
1 cup granulated sugar
24 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks

Combine all in a large (very large) pot. Simmer for at least 10 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon. Serve hot. Let cool before storing in refrigerator. Reheat desired amount to serve.

Lots of projects on the "to-do" list this week. Thankfully most of my shopping is done, just have to pick up a few stocking stuffers this week. All of my packages are going out today. Cards are mailed.

We will probably do our baking on Wednesday or Thursday, then caroling and singing on Friday.

How are you Christmas preparations going?

My computer has been on the fritz . . . shutting off, even when plugged in. So, I'm trying to get in a quick post of three more Hip Kit Christmas cards I put together this week.



Lots of fun embellishments in this kit. And I love the October Afternoon die cuts and Echo Park stickers and stamps. Fun stuff!

Ok, I'm going to post this before my computer dies again. Hope you are having a great week.

How are your holiday preparations going?

Just popping in with a quick post . . . two more cards that I made with the November Hip kit.

September 2011 CardMaps design.

Added some dimensional squares under the banner to make it wavy.

Stickles added along the cranberry trims and a few snowflakes.

I looped baker's twine over the green trim. Layers of OA die cuts and button :)

This morning I'm taking Bird and his friend, Henry, to Build-a-Bear. It was what Bird wanted to do for his birthday instead of a party (yes, his birthday was in July). Today is a day off for our AM kindergarteners so I thought it would be less crowded to go to the mall in the morning.

Then, I teach piano lessons after school.

And Miranda has oral surgery this afternoon. She has a growth on her gums that the doctor is going to remove and send in for a biopsy. The surgeon doesn't think it is much to worry over, but wants to be sure. She will have a sore mouth for several days and has requested applesauce, yogurt, ice cream, and soup.

Thank you for your thoughtful, kind comments on my posts Tuesday and Wednesday. I appreciate your hugs and prayers.

Enjoy your weekend . . . any big plans?

SRM sentiment sticker

We have photo cards to send out this year. But I do make a few handmade cards to share :-) I was hoping to get our photo cards sent out earlier this week . . . but that didn't happen. Guess that will be added to our "to-do" list for this weekend.

Are you sending out cards? Do you make them or order them? Have you sent them yet?

17 days . . .

I've heard it said that the first year is always the hardest.
Does that mean I'll wake up tomorrow and it will be easier that she is gone?
No.


It is so weird that sometimes it seems like I was just at the hospital last night, seeing her for the last time. Yet other times it feels like forever since we spoke.

I miss our walks. I miss our talks. I miss my friend. So much.

So thankful for my parents, that they came over for Lina's birthday and stayed overnight. It was really helpful to have them here this morning. And mom bought me a box of See's Candies. She knows me too well.

So thankful for Brad, that he came home early from work to take care of dinner and be here.

So thankful for Susannah, Heather, and Kay who checked in with me today, knowing it would be hard day.

So thankful for James, that he called tonight to talk and cry and remember with me.


So thankful for Paige, her friendship, her influence, her positive attitude, her commitment, her love of life, her beauty, her strength, her determination, her laughter, her courage.

My baby girl is 10! So crazy.

She is beautiful.
She is kind.
She is tender-hearted.
She is imaginative.
She loves to sing.
She loves to dance.
She doesn't like her foods to touch.
She chose pancakes with bananas and nutella for her birthday breakfast.
She wanted to go out for sushi for dinner.
She asked for the Candy Bar cake.
She has her own sense of style.
She is a girly-girl.
She asked to get her ears pierced for her birthday.
She loves to make projects.
She is a good athlete.
She helps take care of her baby brother.
She has dreams to be a star.
She is silly.
She plays the piano by ear.
She is pure.
She is unique.
She is ten.
She is Catalina.

Yesterday I kept thinking, "I cannot believe it is already December." But whether or not I want to believe it, it is here. So I'm ready to embrace it :)

A few weeks ago, I made this layout of Miranda's Cross Country season:
I used some papers from the Echo Park Little Boy line, paired up with SRM Athlete stickers. I copied the journaling from my blog post about her season and printed it out. It took a full sheet of paper, so I made a large pocket to house the journaling, her times sheet, and her certificate.
The layout is featured today on the SRM Blog. Speaking of SRM--they are announcing their Design Team call on Monday for the 2012 team. It is a GREAT team to be a part of. Susan and Jenyfur are super to work for. Go for it!

We have a St. Nick breakfast, baptism, birthday party, church, Christmas cards, and childrens' choir performance on the weekend agenda . . . it will be busy! The kids really want to get our decorations out and put up our tree. But that may have to wait until sometime next week.

 What are your plans for the weekend? Enjoy whatever you are doing :)

Today I am thankful for time . . . time to spend with my family, time to live, time to create, time to reflect, time to relax, time to love, time to BE.

Thank you for following along this month with my thankful posts. The month went by quickly and I'm glad to have done this, to focus on gratitude.

Here is my November project for SRM. It is featured on the SRM blog today. I put together this journal using chipboard, patterned paper, lined school paper, bind-it-all, and SRM stickers. At first, I wanted to do divided sections for each month but then decided to use the calendars on the cover to allow more flexibility inside for the amount of journaling each month.



I cut the patterned paper squares to 2.5x2.5 inches. Then adhered them to the red dotted paper. After placing the calendar stickers on each square, I zigzag stitched along the squares for a quilted look.

I added in some stickers from the 2012 Year of Memories sheet, and used the big one on a transparency. I punched holes in the transparency to line up with the binding, but then cut slots in each hole so the transparency can be removed and placed as a bookmark in the binding anywhere in the book.


The inside of the back cover has a few more of the 2012 stickers.

SRM Stickers:
Mini Calendar #48006 2012 Decorative
Year of Memories #48004 2012

So thankful to have done early shopping for the holidays. I'm looking forward to less stress in December. This morning Merek and I wrapped some presents, including Lina's birthday gifts and one for Merek himself. He won't remember, right? :-)

I have two more layouts to share that I made using the October Hip Kit:

A two-pager.

This one is probably my favorite from the month.

One more day in November . . . wow! That went fast!

Isn't he the cutest? I'm so thankful for my little Bird. He is seriously the best kid. He is patient. He is affectionate. He is willing to try just about anything. He is smart. He is happy to spend time alone. He reads about two hours every day. He tells me he loves me at least 10 times every day. He loves to help around the house. He is kind to other kids at school. He has dimples that make he smile really shine. Love him so much!

I have some Paper Posies projects to share today, too. The December kit is loaded with colors perfect for winter fun. I went a little crazy with the Pink Paislee die-cuts, but they were a great finishing touch to each project.


A two-pager. I love making double-page spreads. Lots of photos. Love the white on white, such a snowy feel.

I haven't torn paper for awhile but it was something I wanted to try for this layout to give a layered snow-pile feel. The pennants on the banner are Christmas Trees cut from the printed paper.

You can view the whole PP Dec. kit HERE. I have two more projects to share tomorrow.

I'd love to hear what you are thankful for today. :)

Today I am thankful the roads were clear and the weather was fine so that we were able to travel home safely. Our normal 2 hour trip took 2 hours. Hooray!

So thankful today for Krish. He is an amazing kid. I love his energy. He is such a boy and has taught me how to love unconditionally, to be patient. He is SO smart. He works hard in school and behaves well. He is really nice to his classmates and helps them when they need assistance. He tries hard in his piano practice and picks up new lessons quickly. He is always up for a challenge. I am thankful that he is my oldest boy because I think he will be a great example for his younger brothers. Love you!

This morning my dad and Kenny spent about 45 minutes out on the porch studying the skeleton and talking about wildlife.

Such a cool moment. And a unique one.

Merek helping Aunt Tiffany with her dessert.

 Every year the dads and kids play the Turkey Bowl (football on the front lawn) snow, rain, or sun. I always enjoy getting some action shots from the game.

Dinner table ready for the feast.

 My grandmother joined us for dinner. She turned 89 this year. I am thankful she was with us.

I am thankful for spending the holiday with my family and enjoying the traditions we look forward to each time we get together.