New Year's Day card?

Okay, so I finally got a family pic on Christmas Eve.






We were on our way to the movies and I made everyone get ready 20 min. early so we would all be clean and pretty and I could snap a pic.






45 pics later this is the one that came out the best. I know, you've already seen this.

But really, those of you with children will certainly understand, we only get a good family pic every 5 years or so. Everyone is looking at the camera and smiling and not picking their nose or anything, so I gotta flash it around a little.








I already told you about putting the camera outside on the front porch and I couldn't see it on the camera but there was such a bad glare from the floor shining right on Grace. Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
Tonight I made some Christmas cards. Although by now, I'm calling them New Year's cards.

Warm Regards (retired). Real red and whisper white inks. Kraft, real red and whisper white cardstock. Distresser from the cutter kit, Scallop square die cut, lg. oval punch, scallop oval punch, real red wide grosgrain ribbon and dimensionals.

Its close to my original idea. I wanted to put the tree from Christmas Classics on there but the hubs said, "NO, Christmas will be over when they get this."

So of course I ignored him and made one anyway and decided that since I was kinda in a hurry that it was too much work for quick mass production.

So this was my next idea. No cutting! I only made 15 but I got them done in 2 hours and that was while doing laundry and children interruptions.


And really, its not a card, technically. This is just a card front. Almost every card we got this year was a photo card. No handmade cards at all! Can you believe it! Here is my version of a handmade photo card.


Anyway, people will get them before New Years and that is still the holiday season so I'm good with that.



Thats all for today folks! I'm pooped and finally going to bed. If you're going out on New Year's please be extra careful. There are alot of weirdos out there.


Thanks for stopping by.


Blessings, b.

day 23

Howdy peeps! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was very laid back. No family came over so it was just us. Kinda nice actually. Especially since we are going to be bombarded with family this week. And its family we haven't seen in quite a long while so it should be interesting. I'll tell you all about it when they're gone.


Anyhow, here is day 23

Classic numbers (retired). Real red and whisper white ink. Old olive, kraft, whisper white and real red cardstock. Round tab punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

We went bowling! I get such a kick out of bowling with the kids. As you can see, I won the first game! Then the boy just cleaned the floor with us.

I thought it would be cool to just put our little score sheet napkin on here. Made for a really easy page. Especially since I forgot the camera.



I like this page and it sure doesn't get any easier than this.


Thats all for today folks!


Thanks for stopping by.


Blessings, b.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! I know what you're thinking, "what the heck Beth! why are you on the computer?"

Well, I have 3 reasons really.


First of all to wish you a very happy holiday. No matter what holiday you're celebrating, I hope its a happy one.

Secondly, to say, Thank You for stopping by to see what I'm up to. It makes me feel so good to know that you care enough to truck on by here every once in awhile. Thank you!


Thirdly, we are going to be spending time with family for the next week or so. I won't be on the computer at all (I don't think, I may not be able to help myself) and therefore won't be checking emails or the blog. I hope to get a few posts scheduled so I can rest assured you'll have something new to look at.


Oh, and I have this to show you:







I FINALLY got the family pic. I actually had the camera out on the front porch to take this. It was the middle of the day and there was such a glare on the floor right in front of Grace. But this was the best one and I tried to fiddle with the color/exposure/tint/etc. I don't have a clue what the heck I'm doing.




Again, thank you and have a great holiday. If I don't talk to you before New Year's, then have a Happy New Year's and stay safe. Thats very important. You can't stamp if you're dead.




Thanks for stopping by.





Blessings, b.

days 21 and 22

see here for the original December Daily post




Howdy peeps! I hope you all had a good day. I actually did a little last minute shopping today. Yep, I was one of those people today.

I forgot that I'll be seeing my brother for Christmas (we don't normally see him for Christmas) and so needed to get him a gift. I ended up getting the kids more things they don't need but did I get my brother anything? Nope. What do you get somebody that you never see and have a hard time getting along with? Any suggestions would be very welcome.

I also got a little stamping done. BUT again, no family pic. I'm hoping tomorrow. If I don't get one tomorrow then I'll just have to whip up something else. I got all the time in the world right?

day 21

Christmas Classics and classic numbers (retired) sets. Kraft, whisper white, old olive and real red cardstock. Whisper white craft and real red inks. 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, scallop edge punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches, spiral tab punch.

I know, "kind of a boring page Beth." This day literally was a catch up day. And I debated on writing about the bickering. But then I thought, "if we're keeping it real here, then lets keep it real." Years from now the kids will read this and think I was so mean. Yeah well, just keeping it real.

day 22

Classic numbers (retired) set. Real red, kraft, old olive and whisper white cardstock. Real red ink. 1' and 1 1/4" circle punches, lots of glitter, scallop edge punch and 1/2" circle punch.

Now here was a funner day. Is that a word? Popsicle sticks can make even the grouchiest kid happy. I punched out red cardstock using the 1/2" circle punch just so I could write which kid made which one. Cute birdhouse huh? We used the Cropadile to punch the holes.

We had glitter everywhere! Dad was so happy when he came home! NOT! I keep telling him everyone looks pretty with glitter.

Okay, thats it for today. I'm pooped. Tomorrow is a really busy day. I still need to wrap things. I need to create a special box or can or something for a special project for my dad. We are going to our annual Christmas Eve movie. Not sure what we're seeing yet. And get that family pic!

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

days 18, 19 and 20

see here for the original December Daily post



Hey everyone, I hope you had a good day. Today was our first day of vacation. I spent it catching up on my chores. You know, laundry, Dec. Daily, paying bills and my most fun chore; listening to my children bicker.

How do children, especially children as old as mine, get bored so quickly? Good Lord! by the afternoon each of them was whining. They are smart enough to not come whining to me because I'll put them to work. So they start picking and bickering with each other. Makes for a really fun day. NOT!!! Also, makes it really hard to figure out what to highlight for day 21. Should I put bickering in the album?

Anyhow, here are my most recent creations:

day 18

Christmas Classics and classic numbers (retired). Whisper white and real red ink. Old olive, real red, kraft and whisper white cardstock. Top note die, 1" and 1 1/4 circle punches and dimensionals.

yes, I'm the one in the red doggie print jammies. I'm lucky enough to work with wonderful people. Ginette is in the middle and Veronica, (my Twilight buddy), on the other side. I set the camera to take 5 pics so I could use the best one. They all came out kinda yucky. We were laughing so hard in this one and were having a good time so I chose it.


15 says I look like I gotta pee. Actually, I was sitting on the edge of the table with my leg against the leg of the table. But yes, it does look like I'm doing the pee pee dance.

day 19

Christmas Classics and classic numbers (retired). Whisper white craft, old olive, more mustard and real red inks. Old olive, kraft whisper white and real red cardstock. Round tab punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

I've tried getting those stocking holders that are all pretty and sit on your mantel. But they don't hold up our stockings. So this year I got those pegs that are supposed to stick on and then can come off without ruining your wall. They aren't very pretty, but the pretty ones were expensive. So these are up on the landing on the stairs.

day 20

Christmas Classics and classic numbers (retired). Old olive, real red and versamark inks. Old olive, real red and whisper white cardstock. Scallop trim border punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

These are our good friends that used to be our neighbors. We've known them 20 years and they are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Since we moved 8 years ago, they now come over once a month for dinner. We are so blessed to have them as friends.

Okay peeps, thats all for tonight. We still did NOT get a family pic taken so the Christmas cards aren't made. I'll get that pic taken but they'll be more like a New Year's card instead. Oh well.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

days 14, 15, 16 and 17

see here for the original December Daily post


WOW!!! this is my 100th post! Hmmmm....................

Anyhow, here are the last few days. I really like all these pages. I'm starting to see a pattern I guess, the days where I'm pushing it to get something made, those pages are kinda yucky. The days where I have nowhere to go and everyone is cooperating with me, those pages I like.

day 14

Classic Christmas, and classic numbers (retired). Real red and versamark inks. Real red, old olive, kraft and whisper white cardstock. Silver embossing powder, 1" and 1 1/4" circle and round tab punches.

We love our Brownie troop. Grace has so much fun and as soon as one meeting is over she is waiting for the next one.

I stamped the ornament in Versamark and then embossed with silver ep.

day 15

Classic Christmas and classic numbers (retired). Real red and whisper white inks. Kraft, real red, old olive and whisper white cardstock. 1" 1 1/4" circle punches.

We finally got our tree and the kids couldn't wait to decorate it. All of our ornaments are some kind of memory on the tree. Its so much fun to go through the ornaments and remember years past.


heres the journaling. I'm experimenting with different settings on the camera to see what gives me a clearer shot. This is a little better.

day 16

Classic Christmas and classic numbers (retired). Old olive, whisper white and more mustard inks. Real red, kraft, whisper white and old olive cardstock. Round tab punch, fire rhinestone brads, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

Usually I don't have alot of presents for the kids under the tree until Christmas day. They get to open one on Christmas Eve so I'll usually only have 2 or 3 under there. This year though, the girls have turned into little elves and want to wrap everything in sight!

I added a little bling with the brad.

Do you like the tool wrapping paper? Its special.....just for Daddy.





day 17

Snowflake from Season of Friendship set, typeset alpha (retired) and classic numbers (retired). Real red and whisper white inks. Kraft, real red, old olive and whisper white cardstock. 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

I stamped "dec." on the red cardstock but you can hardly see it in this pic. Cookies are a big deal around here.

So today was the last day of school/work until after New Years. Tomorrow I'm taking 15 shopping and we're going to go see New Moon again. I also need to make Christmas cards. Lots to do, lots to do.

Thanks for stopping by and hanging with me during this Dec. Daily album. I hope you're enjoying it. I'm really enjoying putting together. Its starting to get thick. I also need to design the cover. Maybe this week.

Blessings, b.

Christmas goodies

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a good day. Today was baking day around here. Tomorrow is the last day of school/work before Christmas vacation so I needed to get things baked and packed up. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

Here is this years' packaging:

Classic Christmas set. Real red and whisper white cardstock. Real red, old olive markers and a Versamarker. Silver embossing powder, scallop square die, old olive wide grosgrain, natural hemp, lunch sack and the cropodile.

I wanted something really easy. I realized after I'm embossing 15 of these tags that, I could have gone easier.

I used the markers to ink up the stamp, using the Versamarker to ink up the bell and then embossed it.

cute huh?

Here is what is inside. A baggie of the snacker crackers. I got the recipe from Michelle Wooderson's site. I changed the cracker part. You can use whatever makes you happy. They are really yummy. Unless you forget to stir them every 15 min. or so and then some of the crackers really soak up the seasonings and you have a funny pucker face when you eat those ones.

Snacker Crackers

In a small bowl mix together: 1 dry packet of ranch dressing
1 tbs. each of: dill weed, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1 1/2 cups of oil.

Then mix together: 1/2 bag pretzels, 1 bag oyster crackers, 1 bag parmesan goldfish, 1/2 bag wheathins.

Mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Mix them again every 15 min. or so until the crackers soak up the oil. If it seems too wet after 2 hours then you can add more crackers. If it seems too dry then you can mix up some more oil seasoning and add it.

After its all soaked up, then put in an air tight container or put out in bowls and watch your family inhale them.

This is the other goodie in the brown bag

YUMMY!!!

These are seriously so good. I also make them with the Reese's bells on top. HEAVEN!!

Heat oven to 375

Cream together: 1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter

Add in: 1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 cups more flour

Roll dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 10-12 min. They are done when they start cracking on top. They won't be brown, but when they start cracking they are done. Take out of oven and immediately place kiss on top.

This recipe makes about 5 doz. cookies. It can be halved.

Enjoy!

Tomorrow I hope to post days 14-17.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope Blogger doesn't squish all my writing together like it does sometimes.

Blessings, b.

ps. I just went to Michelle Wooderson's site to copy her address and her little treats are in brown paper bags too! Great minds think alike. Although I'm sure her bags are lined coffee bags.

day 13

howdy everyone. Its been a busy couple of days and I have had a horrible headache everyday. I think its a tension headache. I just need a little down time. Don't we all.

So I have pics for everyday, I just need to get them on pages. I got this together tonight after the girls went to bed.

day 13

Classic Christmas and classic numbers (retired). Kraft, whisper white, old olive and real red cardstock. Real red and old olive inks. Top note die, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

Its so funny because as I'm putting the page together I kinda like it. Then when I see it here, I don't so much. Theres a little too much white space. Just chalk it up to another "one I don't love so much" kinda page.

I got some more Christmas shopping done today and I think I'm just about done. I also got some of the snacky crackers made to give away. But first I gotta get the cookies made. Once a year I make the peanut butter kiss cookies. They are so good! But I only make them at Christmas time and everyone looks forward to them. So thats on the adgenda for tomorrow.

I'll show you the packaging I came up with. Alrighty then, I'm off to bed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

days 10, 11 and 12

see here for the original December Daily post



How was your weekend?


I got caught up this weekend. Well, kinda. I had so many things I needed to get done but my plans got waylaid by the hubs. (carpet guy came again) So I only got a few things done. I had today's page laid out in my head but now I don't know what I'll be doing for it. I'll worry about it tomorrow.

So here is day 10,

Classic Christmas and classic numbers (retired). Old olive and real red inks. Kraft, whisper white and real red cardstock. Merry Moments DSP, real red satin ribbon (new), scallop trim punch (new), 5/8 silver brad, silver cording, round tab punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

I think keeping their lists is going to be so much fun to read in the years to come.

I used my markers to ink up the stamp. The 5/8 brad fits just perfectly doesn't it? I used the coluzzle to cut out the white circle and then freehanded the red to mat it.

day 11

Classic numbers (retired). Real red, old olive, kraft and whisper white cardstock. Whisper white craft ink and real red ink. Real red satin ribbon (new), Clear scallop square die, 1", 1 1/4" circle punches, glue dots.

Besides the snowflakes (day 12) this is the only decoration I have up. We actually did get the Christmas stuff down yesterday but our plans to get the tree and get decorating got put off because the carpet guy came again and finished the carpet. YAY!!

This wreath smells so wonderful!



I tacked down the ends of the ribbon with glue dots so they would stay put.

day 12

Classic numbers (retired), snowflake from Season of Friendship set. Real red, old olive and whisper white cardstock. Real red ink. Black journaler, 1", 1 1/4" circle punches.

We had a great day yesterday. I didn't plan on shopping but it needed to be done. I love the rain, although I don't love driving in it, but people were fairly responsible yesterday. Then we settled in and spent the day relaxing. I finished my book and that is another reason I didn't get things done. It was a really good book though. The boy says they are making it into a movie.

This pic is so blurry. My writing is kinda messy anyway, maybe its better you can't see it clearly. I see that I said "really" alot. Oh well.

Okay, thats it for today. I still have other stamping to do. But tomorrow is Brownies and if I have to stay then nothing will get done again. We'll see.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

days 6,7,8 and 9

See here for the original December Daily post

It has been raining here all day. Its awesome! It hardly ever rains here so we really try to enjoy it.

Anyhow, here are a few more days. I hope to be caught up to day 12 tomorrow.

day 6

Tree Trimmings and classic numbers (retired). Old olive, whisper white and kraft cardstock. Whisper white craft and old olive inks. 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, top note die and dimensionals.

Here is where I used another tag from the Top Note Die. See my directions here on how to make it. Its really kind of a plain page. You can't see the glitter in the pic. Camera shy, remember?

day 7

Classic numbers (retired). Kraft, real red and whisper white cardstock. Real red ink. 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches, Merry Moments DSP, notebook paper and dimensionals.

Homework is a HUGE part of our lives.

day 8

Classic numbers (retired). Old olive, real red and whisper white cardstock. Real red ink. 1" 1 1/4" circle punches and dimensionals.

Okay, I know the drive home isn't all that exciting but again, its just another day in our life. I decided to take a pic of the gas prices only because in 5 years I'll probably look at it and think, "wow! gas was so cheap!" Yeah well.......... my family doesn't get it either.

can you read the journaling?

day 9

Classic Numbers (retired). Kraft, old olive, whisper white and real red cardstock. Round tab punch, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.

I love Christmas music! I really could listen to it all year, but my family would have issues. And, I HAVE to have Johnny Mathis playing while we open our presents.

My mother loved Johnny Mathis and played him all the time. I have this record and would play it over and over on Christmas day. Our record player eventually died and my wonderful husband somehow found the record on a CD! How awesome is he? He doesn't get Johnny like I do, but he tolerates it. It just isn't Christmas without him.

Okay, that is it for today. I hope to get alot of my baking done tomorrow. I'm giving peanut butter cookies and fudge to my friends and neighbors and coworkers this year and I need to get on it. I'm still trying to think up a cute packaging idea. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Leave a comments and let us know what Christmas music you like? I'm always on the lookout for new stuff.

December Daily 4

See here for the original December Daily post


I wanted to post yesterday but I didn't get any computer privileges. The boy had lots of homework to do on the computer. I keep trying to tell the hubs that a laptop would be so handy............

Anyhow, I almost got caught up on my album. I got all the way to day 9. BUT, I'm not going to show you them all today. Now don't be like that. Its just that I have so much to show you today.

Check this out:

Classic Christmas, Letterpress numbers (retired) and Typeset alpha (retired). Real red, kraft and whisper white cardstock. Whisper white, real red, old olive and versamark inks. 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, fire rhinestone brads, flower filigre brads, real red satin ribbon (new), scallop trim border punch (new), top note die, 1" circle and 1 1/4" circle punches, wide oval punch, silver embossing powder and of course dimensionals.

This is just a pouch/envelope to put my love notes into. Every Christmas Santa writes a note to each kid telling them how great they are doing and stuff, and I put it in their stocking. Well this year the cat, or should I say, Santa, is out of the bag.

Grace has been hinting around for the past few months that we are Santa. She flat out asked me last week if we were and so I figured if she is old enough to just come out and ask then she is old enough to know. She is 9. I think the other 2 were about the same age when they found out.

So this year I will write their little notes and put them in their stockings but I'll also make a copy to put in the album.

See that Real Red Satin Ribbon? There is a whole slew of satin ribbons in the Occasions Mini Catalog that starts Jan. 5. I have directions on how to make this cute little die cut using the Top Note Die for you. Just wait.

First check out my faux stitching.

Groovy huh? I used white ink and a tracing wheel. See that scallop at the top of the envelope? That is a new punch that you can get for FREE during Sale-A-Bration. Isn't it cute? There is a corner punch that matches it too.

Heres where I will write their love notes.

The whole pouch/envelope measures 4 1/2"x 7". The cards are 3 1/2" x 7 1/2".


Okay, you ready to see how to make this cute little tag? I saw this on someones blog last week and now can't find it. If you know whose blog it is please let me know so I can link them up. Anyway, I just thought this was genius.

Take a scrap of paper and gently fold it. Got it? Don't use your scoring blade or bone folder. We want that fold to disappear later.

Wow, look at that finger! It looks like alien hands!

Now, I realize you can't see the outline of the Top Note but you all know what it looks like right? Put the paper at the bottom of the die. The folded part is inside the die. Depending on how high you put the fold will depend on how big the tag will come out.

See? Cool huh?

Now we want to try and get that fold out. On the blog where I found this, the lady sprayed the cardstock with alcohol. I didn't have any so I very lightly sprayed it with water. Then you lay it in the middle of the die and run it through the machine again.

See the fold is gone! Well almost gone. I layed the satin ribbon across the fold to hide it. I used this little shape on another page and you can't see the fold hardly at all.

I just thought this was the neatest idea! I try to be very frugal with my stamping money and so don't own everything in the catalogs. So I was very happy to see another way to get a cute die out of one I already own.

Okay, I will post all the other days tomorrow. I'm so sorry to be going out of order. Next year remember; ink for the printer and enough cardstock to keep going.



Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.