Layouts and December Newsletter

I just sent out the subscriber news a minute ago. Feedblitz was only showing 4 undeliverable e-mail addresses. YAY!!! Three of those got the news sent manually from my own e-mail address; unfortunately the fourth was signed up as anonymous/private.

Here are a few layouts I did in the last week; these are all pictures from this month.

from the September de-zine kit: papers by Tracey Lee, Andrea Burns and Sarah Jones; ribbon - Heather Roselli; staple and photo corner - Laura Alpuche'; fastener - Amy Knepper
Freestyle Arrow template by Christine Smith
this is a scraplift of Mic's Christmas 2006 layout -
http://tinyurl.com/ycf7yw
and it's shows dd#5 enjoying a treat - the horse rides at Kmart after have a success in the "solids" phase of potty training, LOL.


This one shows a little glimpse into our homeschool day - this was "Percussion Class" aka a LOT OF NOISE.
credits - papers and embellishments - Karah Fredricks' Pink Lady Mini kit at The Digichick
alpha - Real Stamped Alpha by Lisa Whitney
stitched label - Gina Cabrera
tack - Rhonna Farrer, Sweet Peas Kit at 2Peasinabucket

and lastly, I love this one --
I think you can read the journaling on this one -
credits - everything by Christine Smith at The Digichick
Ribbon Lovers Collection
Tropical Joe Papers
Tropical Joe Elements
...and the ribbon slide is from the December freebie.

Christmas Recap

WHEW!! That was a GREAT three days! My grandma called this morning and when she asked how I was, I immediately said "TIRED!" Actually, I'm always tired but I got really tired this time. Even fell asleep during the lights tour (sitting straight up in the van) on Christmas Eve. Anyway...just wanted to share a few highlight pictures with you all~


Starting on Christmas Eve - LOOK MOM, Katie's wearing a dress! The four littler ones in front of the tree are wearing some beautiful dresses that my Mom has sewn in years past. It took bribery (a WHOLE pack of Mentos) to get one of them into a dress ... and a promise of not having to wear it to church. That's OK - she was signed up to be a shepherd (technically, she was a goatherd but that's OK) in our live nativity during the family service.

Jim, Jamie and I got to be the Holy Family. I haven't had my picture taken that many times since we were married; kind of disconcerting since I don't like having my picture taken (but I'm slowly getting over that!) The coolest part was the little kids coming up afterward, looking at the baby in awe ("is that a REAL baby!!??")



Speaking of baby Jesus look at this adorable renactment of the Nativity story -- our 6, 4, and 2 year old set up their own manger, and were kneeling before it, praying. Yes, that's Curious George playing the part of Jesus and the manger was fashioned from my nursing stool, turned upside down. The hay was composed of mismatched socks from the sock basket. Isn't that sweet?



Next, we have an I-spy from the aftermath of seven people opening presents on Christmas morning. If you look carefully, you can actually see some of our family amongst all the stuff, he he he.


And lastly, here's me with my NEW CAMERA -- thanks, honey; I love it. What a cooool and unexpected gift. This camera takes spectacular pictures AND it has image stabilization to catch non-blur action shots -- I will post some in the next few days. I loved my Sony Cybershot but it had gotten dropped twice and was taking unreliable photos ... probably more than half were coming out blurry. I had no idea some of the cooler features available now and was thinking I would be sorry to see it go, but WOW, this new one is fab!

That's it for now -- thanks for reading!

let the celebrating begin...

after we finish getting stuff ready! The Christmas festivities officially begin tomorrow but the preparations are still going. We DID get some snow on Thursday so we will have a somewhat white Christmas. Here's a shot out our front window as it was snowing.



I will be offline through Monday - wishing you all peace and blessings ~

Gallery Showing of Scrapbook Pages

Hey, wanna have your scrapbook page displayed at a gallery show? My buddy Wes has some COOL news on his blog - http://scrappedmovie.blogspot.com/

There are lots of new readers here since I appeared in and worked on the cover art for SCRAPPED, which is a docu-drama about scrapbooking that has now literally been seen across the globe, so if you are out of the loop on this, check out the main site for the movie:
http://www.scrappedmovie.com/index.html

Has it REALLY Been 10 days

...since I last did a page for my family? Hmmmmm, seems so. I have been working on stuff, though! I was hired to do a promotional flyer and postcard for a local independent businesswoman, and I got my first gig scrapping for someone else so I have been busy creating her pages. When I get a minute, I will upload those. But for now, I wanted to share a little something I did for my sweetie pie husband with a picture from Jamie's baptism this weekend. I hope this doesn't embarrass you too much, honey -- but I don't mind telling you how I feel with an extra 750 or so people looking on, LOL.



journaling:
Jamie’s baptism day was so great in so many ways. All the older kids managed to behave themselves in church (and wear their designated outfits), we were on time, we both were dressed nicely, the reception went off without a hitch, etc. etc. But when I showed you this picture of us with Jamie, you were dismayed at how it captured the wrinkles on your face. I told you a little while later that I don’t even SEE them when I look at you and probably won’t unless they are frozen in a picture. My face shows the years that have passed since we were married and the signs of sleep deprivation to be sure but outward appearances are so fleeting and dynamic. You see me every single day, without makeup, with crazy morning hair, wearing all manner of odd things that I like because they’re comfortable and soothing to me. And never have you once made a negative comment on how I look. Not even when my weight was noticeably more than it should be. That’s because you look at me with eyes of love, as I also look at you. Some day, when we truly are old, we’ll marvel at how much younger we look here! In the meantime, just always remember what I see when I look at you - a special gift from God. Truly my other, better half. The father of my children. A man of great intelligence, integrity and worth. The one I chose and who chose me. I love you! December 2006

papers, tab, flower, tag, painted frame - Vera Lim's Memories Kit at The Digichick
paint crackle - Christine Smith's Fall Primaries kit (recolored)
corrugated cardboard - Christine Smith's A Bit Boho Kit (recolored)
word art created with Hurricane and Copperplate Gothic fonts, distressed with Atomic Cupcake rub-on action and inked with Christine Smith's A Brush with Ink

New and ON SALE today

I've got another paper pack for your Kraft lovers. Need something for the season ... and beyond? You can get my newest creation, Krafty Christmas for just $2.60 today ONLY. And I've got a great brush pack on sale for just $1.59. Tomorrow the 20% off will be gone. If you've been a subscriber with me for a while, you might be wondering about the paint strokes - YES, they are exactly the same as the subscriber freebie called "Painter's Dozen" that was sent earlier this year.

Thanks for shopping with me! These products can be found here:

Krafty Line

A Brush with...

Laura tagged me

so I better be nice and play along, he he he

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped (but there aren't any from Santa, just good ol' Mom and Dad)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored on the tree, white snowflakes around the front of the house

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope

5. When do you put up your decorations? Usually about 2 weeks before Christmas

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Christmas Eve's traditional Swiss fondue

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? the year my parents hid a kiddie organ out in the front hallway for me...it was a big surprise. They have this great photo of me with my giant case of bedhead and my "Tickle Me" PJs on.

8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? I don't really remember anymore but I think my brother had something to do with telling me

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, except for the kids -- they all get new pajamas before we go out for a drive to look at outdoor Christmas light displays

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Jim sets it up and lights it and the kids get to hang all the ornaments -- a TON of them are theirs because my mom buys them a new one each year

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE it -- I think it's gorgeous and the kids love to play in it (AND I never have to shovel it -- sweetie hubby does that)

12. Can you ice skate? Sure can! Was ready to enter adult figure skating competition before I was preggers with baby #3

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? This isn't a gift that came wrapped but the gift of hearing from God one Christmas Eve ... the year that my husband's son came to live with us. I was very young at 24 and feeling unsure and unable able to help parent an almost teen boy. The message? That the gift God gave was a Person and that I, too, could also be a gift to my newly expanded family by His transforming grace.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? It's Jesus' birthday! We all need a Saviour.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Chocolate Fondue

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve church service - our church has a living nativity. The animals are always a hit with the kiddos (except the smell sometimes gets me - usually the pregnant Christmases)


And let's see...who should I tag? I think I'm going to pick some ladies who have blogs I am subscribed to but they most likely don't even know it!

So, that'll be -
Tracy (Retrodiva)
Gretchen
Lime

hullo? is this thing ON?

I think Feedblitz ATE my last two posts rather than sending them my faithful subscribers so I am posting this "test" entry to see if it comes through via feedblitz or if I have to increase the tone of annoyance in my next e-mail to their support department. So ... I just wanted to point out my last two posts:

SINGING BAGELS

DOLLAR DEAL

Thanks for reading!

Singing Bagels

...and a few other layouts to share today!


journaling:
sometimes we see these things on TV or in magazines where someone has found a potato chip that looks like Elvis or a piece of popcorn that looks like Mother Teresa but we had our own interesting piece of food: this bagel, that looked to me like he was happily singing his favorite opera or perhaps something from the Veggies Tales Silly Songs DVD. I named him Mr. Bagel-Man (not very creative, but at least descriptive) and Lauren was good enough to pose with him while singing a lovely “La La La” at the top of her lungs.

everything from Christine Smith at The Digichick
papers, punch art circles and chipboard arrow - Jean Scene Kit
thumbprint and doodles - Thumbuddy Expressions and Accessories

font JJ stencil trial


papers and buttons - Lisa Whitney Urban Baby (Scrapartist Apprentist Kit)
rick rack - Christine Smith Ribbon Lovers Rick Rack Add-on
font - Pass the Chex

Shots from the Park at Mall of America for dd#3's sixth b.day
Papers and embellishments (except as noted below) - Andrea Burns Birthday Boy Kit at The Digichick
metal screw - Kimberly Giarusso in the TDC Indian Summer dezine kit
ribbon - Ribbon Lovers Collection by Christine Smith at The Digichick


papers and embellishments - Cherry Snap by Fee Jardine at The Digichick
Puppy Paws stamps by Heather Roselli at The Digichick
alpha - Sunburst by Jennifer Wilson at SBB
inked overlay by Christine Smith at The Digichick



this is our dd#2 at Drama Camp this summer -
papers, alpha, twill, flower - Mari Koegelenberg Denim Gal Kit (retired)
metals - Built Tough elements by Amber Clegg (retired)





our six daughters~
upper R is from Ecclesiastes 4

lower left says
my fondest wish
is that you would
always support
and love each
others as the
truest of friends

this is a scraplift of {Friend} by Perkes
everything from The Digichick
papers, ribbons, chipboard accents - Bombay Papers and Elements by Jennifer Howland
Indy Dinky Do alpha - Tracey Lee
Funky Glitter Alpha - Sarah Jones
Rather Ragged Stitching, photo corners - Krafty Elements, Inked and Sanded Overlays, Inked and Sanded Circles, A Brush with Watercolor by Christine Smith

Dollar Deal!

psssst....want a groovy deal for just a buck? How about a groovy deal for just a buck that's worth an additional three bucks?

That's what you get when you grab these cute little Limited Edition Thumbuddies - available in the month of December only; then they'll be all gone.

Look what a buck gets you -



You can use these little guys for your avatar, card making and scrapbook pages. And then go over to the boutique at The Digichick and get the original 4 sets for 40% off. They're lots of fun and versatile!

Here are some page ideas -

page by Rachael Giallongo


Page by Ange Schwarz

Page by Rachael Giallongo

Page by Christine Smith

Click the buy now button below to get the DOLLAR DEAL

NOTE: If you experience problems with your download, please visit http://www.tradebit.com/findtx.php
and enter the product code - 1124737 and your paypal e-mail address to retrieve your download link. Links are valid for 72 hours ONLY.

Remember When PDA used to mean...

Public Display of Affection? Well, that's what this post is. A little tribute to my sweetie pie husband of 15 years. Have a nice week, honey. I {HEART} you.

Journaling sez -

So this is what it has come to for you.

This is your version of Life in the Fast Lane.
Not likely what the Eagles had in mind
when they released that song decades ago.
Not the same as when you really did
live your life in the fast lane.
Not every man’s definition of excitement.
But I don’t care.
Not one little bit.
I *loved* seeing you on that little roller coaster
with our little girls.
Because I can see you just enjoying life as it is -
chaotic, loud, around and around like
that little roller coaster and lots of fun anyway!

design credits -
everything from The Digichick
black alpha - Andrea Burns' Birthday Boy Kit
Papers, twill and word art - Mari Koegelenberg's Super Dad Kit
colored alpha - Fee Jardine's Good Times Painted Alpha

Layouts

Two to share today -



this is a scraplift of Christine Couch's "Beautiful" LO at TDC -
http://www.thedigichick.com/gallery/...00/ppuser/7749
everything except ink spots in Laura Alpuche's Poolside Paradise kit at The Digichick
brushes - A Brush with Tea by Christine Smith at The Digichick



our dd#3 opening her b-day presents

LO template by Rachael Giallongo (Weekly Sketch Challenge at The Digichick)
everything else by Christine Smith at The Digichick
papers - Krafty Girl
ribbon - Ribbon Lovers Collection
Flower - Posey Petals II
alpha - Distressed Stamped Alpha

specials are still on at The Digichick

just a quick note before I run out to take the kiddos to gym class this morning - The Digichick is back online and the specials - free kit and 20% off new releases are still available. I don't see an announcement about how long they'll be there so if you were trying to get in on these promotions, NOW would be a good time!