December Daily: Day Twenty-Four & Twenty-Five...DONE!

Day twenty-four-We were busy traveling to different family parties.  We started out with brunch at Grandma's house (hubby's side of the family), and then later in the evening we went to my aunts' house for dinner.  I was so excited to get to go to my aunts', as we have not been able to do this in a lot of years!

Day twenty-five-We started the morning off with a visit from Santa! I think it is cute that my sixth grader had the hardest time going to sleep, and was the first one in our room in the morning.  We opened the "Santa" gifts and stocking first, and then they got their presents from Bill and me.  The were crazy excited to open their very own iPads.  I am glad that I will no longer have to share mine with three boys. :)
They were also surprised to find an aquarium with their very own hermit crabs.  The video of them opening the ipads and seeing the hermit crabs is priceless!

Thanks for hanging with me while I completed my December Daily.  I think I am going to take the Project Life plunge, so you will have to put up with some more scrapbooking in the New Year!  I will soon be back to regular blog post with my cards, too!

Emily

December Daily: Day Twenty-Three

Day 23-We were able to celebrate Christmas with my hubby's extended family this year!  We had fun visiting with aunts, uncles and cousins that we normally do not see on a regular basis.  Aunt Cathy had a fun scavenger hunt for the younger kids, and the adults did a white elephant gift exchange.  Max and Luke fell asleep on the ride home! 
I am going to try to post Christmas Eve and Christmas day tomorrow or Sunday.  Once my kiddos are back in school next week, I hope to get back to my normal blogging routine.  It is nice to take a little break.

Thanks for stopping by,

Emily

Heartfelt Creations: Love Lives Here

Hello!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I will be busy putting all of my Christmas papers and stamps away until next year!  I have a card to share today, using stamps and papers from Heartfelt Creations Timeless Amour collection.  You can find the product list and instructions for recreating this card below!

HCPC 3506-Passage to my Heart PreCut Set
HCPC 3449-Door To My Heart PreCut Set
HCD 728-Timeless Amour Die set
HCDP1 228-Timeless Amour Paper Collection
Product ID: 159723 – Art Institute Glue
other supplies: Memento Tuxedo Black ink, copic markers, scallop punch (EK Success), seam binding, button, burlap twine from May Arts, Old Paper distress ink by Ranger, kraft card stock, white card stock
Fold kraft card so that base measures 4.25" x 5.5" when folded.  Cut panel from burgundy patterned paper to measure 4" x 5.25".  Distress edges and adhere to card base.  Sponge Old Paper distress ink over edges of card base.  Stamp wooden heart door image in black onto white card stock, and color with copic markers.  Use coordinating die to cut.  Stamp sentiment in black onto cream colored patterned paper and cut to create a banner. (I free hand cut the ends to get the banner look).  Use a scallop border punch and punch a border from the green patterned paper and adhere to left side of a journal box.  Adhere the heart door image to the journal box.  Using foam dots, adhere the sentiment banner over the door.  Run seam binding along the right side of card, and punch a small hole in the lower corner of the journal box, so that you can pull the ribbon through.  Now you can apply the journal box to the card using foam dots, making sure it is centered on the card.  Tie your seam binding and create a loopy bow.  Adhere button with burlap twine to center of finished loopy bow.

Thanks for stopping by! You can find more project ideas on the Heartfelt Creations blog.

Emily

December Daily: Day Twenty-one & Twenty-two

Day Twenty-one-Our first snow of the year! Just a dusting, but snow none the less.  We were also busy with Christmas parties at school.  Super lucky this year that Max and Luke's classroom's are right across the hall from each other.  It allows me to zoom back and forth and see them.  Max is making ornaments in the upper left corner, and Luke and his friends used toilet paper to decorate their friend as a snowman.  So cute!

Day twenty-two-Basketball, Taekwondo, and an evening of looking at our favorite local light displays and Nativity scenes.  We made sure to stop and get some peppermint mocha's and hot chocolates before we started our venture.  Now...let the crazy Christmas travels begin!  We will be traveling to five parties in the next four days. I haven't done this in a lot of years, but now that Max and Luke are older, we decided to give it a go.  Hopefully they will not be grumpy when Christmas actually arrives!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Days Nineteen & Twenty

Day nineteen-We went to The Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights.  I always enjoy seeing the lights, and this year we decided to stop and check out Santa.  I am so thankful we did, as the Santa at Bass Pro was kind of a scrooge!  This Santa was amazing, and was very attentive to my guys.  All three boys were excited to see some of Santa's reindeer.  I am upset, because I obviously did not have my flash on for the reindeer and Frosty photos.  Oh, well.  Still memories in the making!

Day twenty-A busy day!  I met my friend Tari for lunch, and then after school we had basketball and another Cub Scout Christmas party.  Max and Luke also brought me home some beautiful, homemade cards and ornaments!  I think the teacher's sent them home a day early, since we are supposed to get some snow, and everyone in this area freaks out at the mere mention of snow!  LOL!

I can not believe that Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? I am!

Emily

Joy...

Sharing another vintage style Christmas card using My Mind's Eye, All Is Bright collection.  It is hard to see, but I added some glitter to the flowers and leaves.  The baker's twine is old looking and also part of this collection.  I distressed the edges of the paper with distress ink in Old Paper and Walnut Stain and tore and ripped it with scissors and my finger nail.

I think I am officially ready for Christmas.  I still have to wrap some "Santa" gifts when little ones are not around, but all of the big stuff...DONE!  It is a yucky, rainy day here in SW Ohio.  It would be awesome if all of this rain was actually snow.  It was actually thundering a little bit ago.  So weird in December.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day eighteen

Please scroll down for my Heartfelt Creations post!

Day eighteen-I included a photo of Max and his speech therapist.  He took her a gift, and I wanted to include her in our album, as she has done so very much for Max. 
About a year and a half ago, we found out our insurance would no longer pay for speech therapy, because Max has developmental disabilities and not a medical diagnosis.  I remember feeling so sad and angry, as I knew that without insurance our visits to Children's hospital were $200 a visit!  I did some research and found a private practice of speech pathologists.  At $40 a visit, this was a bit cheaper then our co-pay at Children's hospital.  I was elated!  After several months, I knew that it was a blessing.  Ms. Carey is AMAZING at her job, and did more with Max in a couple of months, then the speech therapist at Children's had done in several years.  Do not get me wrong...I LOVE Children's hospital, and they have been wonderful to us in so many ways.  The only thing I have ever been unhappy with was the speech and OT.  It just goes to show that sometimes something awful can really turn into something wonderful!
I also made some cookie cutter fudge for my hubby to pass out to his employees.  In the past, I use the metal cookie cutters, but the colored ones are quite festive.  I just matched my baker's twine to the color of the cookie cutter.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my album!

Emily

Heartfelt Creations: Merry Christmas

Hello!  Today I have a Heartfelt Creations Christmas card to share.  I just love the Frosty Blanket patterned paper.  When you pair it up with the fabulous poinsettia stamps and dies, you can not go wrong!  I added some glitter accents to the berries and the layered poinsettia.  You can find the instructions and product list for recreating this card below.

HCPC 3415-Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set
HCPC 3419-Holiday Poinsettia PreCut Set
HCDP1 225-Frosty Blanket Paper Collection
SKU:  125156  Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies
other Supplies: Mellow Moss cardstock (SU); gold cord, gold gem stone, snow glitter by Stampendous, gold embossing powder, Top Boss emobossing ink, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Glossy Accents by Ranger
Fold green card base so that it measures 4.25" x 5.5". Cut piece of Frosty Blanket patterned paper so that the large poinsettia image is in the lower right corner. This panel should measure 4" x 5.25". Distress the edges, and adhere to front of card base.  Stamp two poinsettias so that they layer in the Top Boss ink onto white card stock.  Sprinkle with gold embossing powder and heat with heat gun.  Add glossy accents to petals on flowers and sprinkle with snow glitter.  Add glossy accents to the berries on the patterned paper and sprinkle with snow glitter.  Once dry, adhere layered poinsettias on top of the poinsettia on the patterned paper.  Add gold gem to center.  Tie gold cord around top of card and tie in a loopy bow.

Make sure you check out the Heartfelt Creations blog for more inspiring projects by the design team!

Emily

December Daily: Day Sixteen & Day Seventeen

Day sixteen-We traveled to a local farm to partake in their Christmas walk.  The walk, has tons of lights and scripture that walks you through the life of Jesus.  I love doing this with the boys, as it reminds us all what Christmas is all about.  Afterwards, we have cookies and cocoa in the barn and listen to carolers.  This is something they always look forward to.  It is simple. fun. and did I mention free?  Yep.  Not too many light displays like this are free anymore, so big bonus.

 Day Seventeen-We headed to Bass Pro to see Santa! Max and Luke were so excited, and big brother Will was a very good sport about it.  I don't think the Santa was as authentic looking this year, but Max and Luke didn't seem to care!  They had fun writing letters to Santa and sticking them in the mailbox, and doing all of the fun activities.  Of course, we had to go check out the waterfall and the fish and the turtles while we were there. :)

Thanks for stopping by! I will have a Heartfelt Creations card for you tomorrow.

Emily

December Daily: Day Fifteen and a card!

Day Fifteen-We went out to dinner with our neighbors to The Melting Pot.  We usually do this every year around the holidays.  I love The Melting Pot.  Always a fun atmosphere, and it is nice to be able to hang out for a few hours over the many courses they serve.  It gives you plenty of time to talk and laugh.  Now that I am looking at the photo of the layout and typing this, I realize I forgot to cover up the "25" with my "15"!  I have a circle all stamped and ready to go with the new date. Oh, well.  You get the idea...

I also wanted to share a quick and easy Christmas card I made using some of the "handmade holiday" papers from Simple Stories.  Love the homespun feel, and this card literally took a couple of minutes to put together.  Love that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

The Stamps Of Life & Clearsnap Holiday Blog Hop!

stamps: The Stamps Of Life set trees4Christmas

ink:  Stephanie Barnard for Clearsnap inks in Chocolate and Strawberry

paper: Basic Grey

accessories: circle punches and baker's twine from The Twinery

The Stamps of Life and Clearsnap are having a blog hop featuring The Stamps of Life stamps and Clearsnap inks and other fun products. Be sure you comment on all the stops along the hop because prizes will be randomly chosen among the comments!

The Stamps of Life will be giving away a prize to 3 lucky people – one stamp set (of the winner’s choice) per winner.

Clearsnap will be giving away an assortment of Stephanie Barnard Colorbox Premium Dye inks.

Clearsnap - http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

The Stamps of Life - http://stephaniebarnard.blogspot.com/

Jeanne Streiff - http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/?p=17629

Sabrina Alery - http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/

Judy Rozema - http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/

Megan Aaron - http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/

Deb Felts - http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/

Diana Gonzalez - http://www.arteypoemas.com/

Vicki Garrett –  http://summerthymestudio.blogspot.com/

Denise Hahn - http://inmyblueroom.blogspot.com/

Kim Pargeter - http://stampinriley.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Austin - http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

Joana Studer - http://joanastamps.blogspot.com/

Tami Sanders - http://tamisanders.com/

Emily Niehaus - http://emmielouwho.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Priest - http://hydrangeahippo.com

Kim Howard - http://basementstamper.blogspot.com/

December Daily: Days Thirteen & Fourteen

Day Thirteen: Not very exciting!  I spent most of the afternoon trying to finish up some Christmas cards.  I am not on the ball when it comes to cards this year.  Max made a card with me before he went to school.  He wouldn't let me get a photo of him holding it so I just took a pic of it on the table.  I also thought it would be cute to include the postage stamps for my cards this year. 

Day fourteen-wow. just unbelievable and heart wrenching.  A parent's worst nightmare.  So many emotions on this day.  The holidays are a happy, joyous time filled with tradition and "events".  I had some fun activities planned around baking with the boys on this Friday night.  I was so unsure as to how I was going to do my day fourteen.  I decided that I had to include something about the shooting that took place in Newtown, Connecticut.  I journaled about my feelings and how thankful I was to watch my boys walk safely off of their school bus.  It certainly was not something that I wanted to discuss with my six year olds, so we went on with our candy making plans as scheduled.  My oldest found me with tears in my eyes when he arrived home, so we talked about what happened.  I included a photo from facebook in one of the pockets as a remembrance to those victims and their families.
So what do you think?  When doing a December Daily album, do you include a horrific event such as this?  It certainly effected me greatly, so I thought it was an important thing to discuss in the album.  Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Emily

December Daily: 12-12-12

Please scroll down for my FWF post!

Day twelve!  Nothing momentous on this day.  The boys played games on the iPad and iPods, while Bill and I watched the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief concert on TV.  The concert was really quite awesome!  I stayed up well past midnight watching it.  I was excited to see Roger Waters perform, but I felt like the showstopper was The Who.  They were amazing! Check out Roger Daltrey's abs. Not too shabby for a 68 year old! I thought it would be fun to include a photo from the concert of them performing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

FWF: Winter Wonderland...

Hi, there! Happy Friday.  Today I have a card using a new set I recently purchased from Unity.  I love the large snow globe and the images that go with it.  This deer silhouette was calling to me, so I paired it with some patterned paper from My Mind's Eye, All Is Bright collection.  I stamped the deer directly onto the patterned paper, and then added some champagne glass glitter around the border.  The brad is from the All Is Bright collection, too.  I stamped the doodle scallops at the bottom of the horizontal piece of patterned paper. I also tied some baker's twine from The Twinery around the bottom.  I stamped the snowflakes in Old Paper distress ink and used this to sponge around the card base.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day Eleven

Hello! I am moving right along and keeping up with my album.  On the eleventh, Luke had his den Christmas party.  Good times!  They made a couple of crafts, had a secret Santa gift exchange, and of course, ate lots of treats!  For this layout I used some papers from Authentique's Wonder collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Heartfelt Creations: Hello

Hello!  Today I am sharing a Heartfelt Creations card with you.  I decided to change it up, and do something that was not holiday related!  I went for a vintage look with this card. You will find the instructions and product list for this card below:

HCPC 3476-Mailbox Surprise PreCut Set
SKU: 472168:  Spellbinders Labels 20
other products:  white cardstock, October Afternoon Early Bird patterned paper, May Arts red burlap twine, grey baker's twine from The Twinery, alphabet letters from K&Company, distress ink in Antique Linen, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Prisma pencil in scarlet red for coloring roses on image, foam dots for behind image panel
Fold white card base so that it measures 4.25" x 5.5" when folded.  Cut panel from grey polka dot patterned paper to measure 4" x 5.25" and distress and ink edges. Adhere to card base. Add distress ink to edges of white card base, too.  Next cut a 5.25" x 2" strip from dictionary paper. Free hand cut ends to make a banner.  Cut red floral paper to measure 2" x 4.5" and also cut to create banner.  Layer both banners toward left side of card onto card base.  Stamp mailbox image onto white card stock and use Labels 20 Spellbinders die to cut out.  Ink inside edges with distress ink. Use red Prisma pencil to color just the rose buds.  Apply foam dots behind image and adhere to right of card just over the banners.  Tie red burlap twine and grey baker's twine around top of card and make a loopy bow.  Adhere alphabet letters in lower right corner.

Check out more inspiring projects from the design team on the Heartfelt Creations blog!

Emily

December Daily: Day Nine & Ten

Day nine-Grandma watched boys while Bill and I went out to dinner and finished some Christmas shopping.  I only took one photo this particular day, so it is nice to have the Simple Stories papers to just slide into the other spaces.  I did have to take multiple photos of the boys with Grandma, because someone (Will) kept making goofy faces and crossing their eyes!

Day Ten-was all about Max! He had his kindergarten Christmas concert.  So, so sweet!  I used Instagram to play around with the photos at the actual concert. I like how they turned out.  I am still not so sure about the journal square. I think it needs something-maybe ribbon, or something silvery? I may add onto that later, although, I seriously doubt it! HA! I will probably just keep trucking along. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

TSOL: You Are Amazing

Hello! Today I have a quick card to share with you.  I used stamps from a new set by The Stamps Of Life called youare2square.  This set is fun non its own, but is meant to be used with Stephanie's square flip-it die by Sizzix.  I added some strips of washi tape by Freckled Fawn in the background.  I used Stephanie's inks in Licorice and Strawberry.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day Seven & Day Eight

Day seven of my December Daily-Max and Luke took their Taekwondo exam. Max received his gold belt and Luke received his orange belt.  They were so very cute!  Our neighbor girl across the street also received her gold belt. I just love the photo of the three of them.  I got some cool action shots, but once again, hard to see behind the page protectors!

Day eight-my birthday!  I turned 38, and celebrated with my favorite guys.  They made me homemade pizza, and took me to get my favorite ice cream in the whole wide world-chocolate coconut almond chip. YUMMY!  Bill took this photo of us. It turned out so cute, but his thumb was in the way. I just added the "8" over it!  I also fished the receipt out of the bottom of my purse and used some of the pamphlets and gift card holders from the store.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day Five & Day Six

I am almost caught up on my album now! HOORAY! I am still not happy with my photos of the completed album pages.  I just love the convenience of the pockets, but the glare from the page protectors is annoying!  They look better IRL.
On December 5th, we actually had a night of NO ACTIVITIES! It is a rarity, so I made one of the boys' favorite meals.  Bill and I had some of our favorite "cheap" merlot and we all cuddled up and watched "Elf".

I have continued the tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas Day with my boys.  It makes me smile, because they are way more impressed with the huge, juicy apples and oranges St. Nick brings, rather than the candy and the gift!  When Will was little he used to go on and on about how St. Nicholas found the biggest, best pieces of fruit.  Every year, it is a challenge to find the best produce to put in their stockings.  This year, Bill found the biggest oranges I have ever seen.  The boys were super impressed with them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day Three & Day Four

Hello! Today I can share day 3 and Day 4 with you all.  Day three shows photos of some of the Christmas decor in my dining room.  I LOVE Christmas and decorating.  This year I put up three trees, but I actually own five.  I am still reluctant to pull out some of my things.  Maybe next year when Max and Luke are seven...

Day 4 is all about our beloved Christmas books.  My boys have always looked forward to a Christmas story before bed.  This year I wrapped them all up and put them under the tree.  Each night, they take turns unwrapping a book.  It has been fun to see them try and guess which is their favorite.  After they open a book, I put them in a big basket so that they can look at them and we can read them some more!  They think it is fun to unwrap a "gift" each night, and it doesn't cost a thing, as they are books that have been in our collection for quite some time.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Day Two

Day two is done! I am on a roll (no pun intended)! Will had a football skating party at a local roller rink.  They ordered pizza, and also had their awards ceremony.  Will was super unsteady at first, but he was a trooper and kept trying!  He was much improved by the end of the evening.  I took a photo of a pair of skates and used Instagram to make it look a bit more retro.  I love that instagram photos are perfect for the 4x4 pockets in this album!  I also included a "motion" type photo of will zooming past me in the lower left corner.  The stamped sentiments are from Unity, and the letters and numbers are from a few The Stamps Of Life sets.

I bought a new printer last night! I think it will make printing out photos a lot easier, and it is an "air" printer, so I can print from my iphone! HOORAY!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

December Daily: Cover and Day 1

Here it is! My December Daily album ready to go.  I went with a Simple Stories album this year.  I like the different pockets and sizes that are available.  I thought it may make it a little easier, and less stressful.  So far, so good!  I bought the Homemade Holiday papers, but am realizing that there are some events that I may not want to use Christmas themed papers or colors for.  No worries...I can mix it up, and the leftovers can be used on cards.

 Here is day one!  Will had his big FLL tournament which was an all day event.  Grandma watched Max and Luke and took them out to lunch and to see Rise Of The Guardians, which they loved.  I left a space next to the journaling about the movie, so that I can add some of the ticket stubs.  They are currently in Grandma's purse!
I am finding that with the page protectors, it is very hard to get a decent photo of the layouts.  Because there are multiple pockets, it is not like I can just photograph the layout first.  Something I will think about for next year.  I am off to buy another ink cartridge for my printer today.  I was going to wait and just have my photographs developed each week and pick them up and add them into the album, but that is just not as much fun!  So...I will continue to print them at home, even though it is rather costly!

Thanks for stopping by,

Emily

Heartfelt Creations: Silent Night...

Hello!  Today I have a Christmas card to share using stamps, paper and dies from Heartfelt Creations.  I love the way all of their products coordinate so beautifully together.  I wanted to make a CAS Christmas card that was not only clean in design, but also elegant.  I think the gold embossing does just that along with the rhinestones.
You can find the products used and instructions for recreating this card below.

HCPC 3415-Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set
HCPC 3419-Holiday Poinsettia Candle PreCut Set
HCDP1 225-Frosty Blanket Paper Collection
SKU:  125156  Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies
other products: white cardstock, gold twine, gold embossing powder, gold gems, Top Boss embossing ink, heat gun
Fold white card base so that it measures 4.25" x 5.5" when folded.  Cut journal box from Frosty Blanket paper collection and adhere to center of card.  Stamp two poinsettia images in embossing ink and sprinkle with gold embossing powder. Use heat gun to set.  Stamp Silent Night music score onto white cardstock in embossing ink, and sprinkle with gold embossing powder. Set with heat gun.  Use matching Spellbinders dies to cut poinsettias.  Layer and adhere to lower left corner of journal box over center poinsettia.  Add gold gems to centers of poinsettias.  Tear along edges of Silent Night Music score and then adhere to journal box.  Tie gold twine around top of card and tie into a loopy bow.

Make sure you stop by the Heartfelt Creations blog for more inspiring projects from the design team.

Emily

All Is Bright...

Hi, there!  Today I have a fun vintage style card to share.  I have had these Santa images from Crafty Secrets for a while, just waiting to be turned into some Christmas creations!  I also used twine and brads from My Mind's Eye "All Is Bright" collection.  I just love reds, greens and blues for vintage Christmas decor.  The snowflake is a die cut that I added chunky glitter to.  I also inked the edges of my card base with Antique Linen and Walnut Stain distress ink.

Here are the following challenges I am entering this card in:
SCS CAS 199
Make It Monday
Craft Your Passion-snow
Paper Playtime-Christmas colors
Tammy's Scrappin' blog-anything Christmas

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

TSOL: My Heart Soars...

Hello!  Today I have a card to share using the newest The Stamps Of Life release called, hearts2diefor.  Perfect for Valentine's Day, Weddings and "just because".  I also used the cloud and bird stamps from the kites2fly set.  I added some baker's twine for the string to my heart balloon.
I think I may save this one for hubby for Valentine's Day!

I have decided to do a December Daily album again this year.  I am have my album and papers all cut and ready to go.  I am still trying to decide how I want to do the photos.  Last year I printed them out of my printer, which was super convenient, but expensive. I burned through several ink cartridges at $30 a pop!  I am wondering if I should just send them to be developed each week?

My boys were so excited to pull out last year's December Daily album, that I know it is something that I will continue to do from year to year.  Maybe I will even get on board with Project Life someday soon!  I will share my December Daily pages as I complete them.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Emily