A year in review...

(as always, click on the picture for a better look)

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2009 was a good year to us. We laughed, we sighed, we giggled, we yelled, we wept, we ran, we grew, we started falling apart, okay so WE didn't start falling apart. That was just me.

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But 2009 was a good one.

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Here's hoping 2010 is as good or better.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR.

SWAP-BOT Fav color received

I received this wonderful package for the SWAP-BOT favorite color match box swap.

I requested red, purple or orange for this swap.

Can you believe how much she managed to fit into this little box?!?!

Isn't it great. I love the sparkle in everything.

And that lollipop ornament is too adorable.




Thank you so much Andi.

Happy Birthday Morgan

Happy Birthday MORGAN.

(Yup, she's as moody as she looks. She's a teenage girl. It's expected.)

I can't believe I now have 2 teenagers.

I love you Morgan

It feels like home. It feels right.

I have consolidated my crafty blog with this one.

I am calling them both home here.

It feels right.

It feels like an old friend has finally come home.

All that I post will be right here at ICANTWANNA.

Sure, I may change the background or the banner, but it's still me.

It's all me.

WELCOME HOME. (ahhhhhh)

Ahead of the game...

It's over. The festivities are done.

Now all we have to do is to make it through the rest of the year. I am relieved and sad. I miss the wonder and excitement of it all. I didn't get done nearly what I wanted to do. I think I need the kids to be out of school for the 2 weeks before Christmas. That would be the real help in getting ready for Christmas.

While I did get a lot of things done in time, there are some that just didn't happen.

* We haven't made cookies yet. (But we will)

* I didn't make the gift tags like I wanted to.

* We just decorated the Gingerbread House yesterday.

* I forgot about a bag of goodies I have for stockings. (thankfully they're toys and will keep until next year.)

* I didn't document for Journal Your Christmas with Shimelle Laine. I really wanted to do this. I just wasn't organized enough.

That is all going to be different for 2010. Things will be MORE organized. I am going to go into the Holiday Season prepared and ready. How? You ask. Welllllllll, go to OPUS GLUEI and join us once a month (starting in January) in getting prepped for the Holiday Season 2010.

Once a month tips and ideas will be offered. We'll tell you how we applied them and show you what we did. Then we'll ask for your input and results.

One thing I have already decided is to make this picture into our Christmas Card.

I like it. It wasn't even taken until after Christmas. But I like it and it'll work.

First thing checked off the list for next year. (insert happy dance)

Jingle me happy

I love to blurf. I could waste days just cruising around other blogs. My fav's are crafty ones with a bit of life thrown in. Makes me feel normal. Those that include food, are just pure heaven. Anyway, I found JUST JINGLE in the past couple of months and have been visiting her regularly. She is witty and crafty and real. She hosted a Christmas swap, JINGLE SWAP 2009. Naturally I signed up. We were to send 10 items to our partner, 3 of which were to be handmade. Easy peasy.

I was partnered up with a woman who lives within a 30 minute drive. How cool is that!!! Once the hectic pace of the Holidays settles down, we may even try to meet for a coffee or two. Here are the wonderful goodies she sent to me.

Isn't that the most adorable Santa, the candle (made by her) smells delish, and the chocolates, 'nuf said...

And here are the goodies I sent to her. I sent her a handmade framed Christmas Tree, a set of Thank You cards that I made, and the flowers are actually pens. The cookies are my favorite this year, those snowmen just yelled to be hers, the blanket is one of the softest I have felt. You really can't tell but the mug is a little ornament, and the package next to it is a set of adorable erasers shaped like wonderful tasty desserts. I also included some sticky notes and a set of pens. You always have lists around this time of year. ( and the rest of the year too.)

If you remember, and I am sure you will because once you visit JUST JINGLE you are sure to keep going back, sign up for the JINGLE SWAP 2010. (Crossing my fingers that she'll host it again.)

Wishing you all a very

To Do... before I go to bed on Christmas Eve

Things I have left to do before I go to bed on Christmas Eve...

- Grocery Shop

- Make the grocery list

- Eye appt.

- Watch Christmas movies: Ernest Saves Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas

- Get one last present

- Spend time lounging with my girls and hubby

- Straighten up the house

- Bake cookies for Santa (and some for us too)

- Work the morning of Christmas Eve

- Visit Santa at the mall

- Wrap a few more presents

- Work on Opus Gluei for 2010

- Work on this blog for 2010

- Pick up the Ham

- Open a present on Christmas Eve

- Set cookies and milk out for Santa

- Set carrots out for Reindeer

- Write out Christmas cards (yup, they are late)

- Decorate the Gingerbread House

- Make fudge

- Drink a glass or two of wine

- Any other thing I've forgotten

Christmas preparations

Don't forget your Christmas preparations...

What's been going on....

Here are some of the pictures from earlier in the month.

I took them, just didn't get them posted. Ya know how it goes...

Reading is such a big part of our family. I couldn't leave it out.

Some of the candies of the season. I thought they looked so pretty in these jars.

The advent calendar I made while pregnant with Megan.

Danny painted all of the ornaments.

New advent calendars this year. First time for daily treats for the girls.
I made the matchbox ones, the other one came made already.
The girls decorated their own.

More to come. I don't want to overwhelm you, so I am posting them a few at a time.

More to follow, so check back.

Friday Fill-Ins #155

It's been a bit since I have filled one in...

1. No, we will NOT let my 15 year old pierce her lip.
2. We eat dinner every night at the old kitchen table.
3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: Damn, life is good.
4. My trip to the mall tonight is going to be okay.
5. I'll take whatever I want, whenever I want. (A girl can dream, can't she!!!)
6. I am right, at least from my point of view.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting home from the mall and Survivor and Pizza, tomorrow my plans include carting kids around and Sunday, I want to decorate the Gingerbread House and bake cookies!

I must have this...

EDITED: There is a Santa. Melissa requested a trip to the scrapbook store to buy my Christmas gift. Who am I to deny the wonderful little child. So I obliged. She bought me these papers, a couple of bottles of Stickles, some Teardrops and a few spools of ribbon. I love that kid. She KNOWS me.

This collection MUST become one of my possesions.

I HAVE to get it.

It's cute and Christmas-y.

And so Very Merry.

Happy Birthday Megan

It's happened again.

My baby has turned another year older.

My little angel is now the big 1-5.

Happy Birthday Megan.

I love you.

Anticipation is making me crazy... and a bit more plump too.

Whilst surfing this evening, I ran across this template from Ali Edwards. I, being a crafty person, thought to myself

"I can make a template like that."

And so I did.

Then I used Kim's freebie and made this layout.

You really need to check her out she is very talented and generous.

Thank you Kim.

Let me know if you would like the template. If I can figure out how to zip it, I will and then email it to you.

SWAP-BOT

I found a new obsession, er, ah, I mean, a new playground. SWAP-BOT is a hosting site for swaps. I signed up and browsed around. I saw these adorable little matchboxes that were decorated and then filled with lovely little goodies.

Naturally I signed up for one. I found a Favorite Color swap. You send your partner a matchbox decorated and filled with goodies in their color choice. My partner likes highlighter yellow and electric blue. Here's what I came up with:

The matchbox is a 32 ct in size. I had NO idea what that was, but there is a template available on SWAP-BOT made by the founder, Rachel. It is roughly 1.5 inches by 2 inches by 1/2 inch. It was easy to make. Felt good to cut it out and glue it up. I printed the pattern onto regular paper and traced it onto the pretty papers I used. My partner has a well filled out profile, so I was able to send her some of the things she liked. They aren't really in the highlighter yellow or electric blue category, but I think they worked well anyway. The wire and fruit used on the outside of the box can be taken off and she can use them for other crafts if she wants to.

And here are the contents of the box.

I sent things she wanted and things I thought would work.

I also sent some shells because I am in Virginia Beach.

Thanks for looking. I am working on my Holiday Fun Matchbox swap today.

Maybe I'll see you in one of the future swaps.

Ready for Christmas

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,

As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.

Then wearily sat for a moment to read,

Until soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,

"Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?

Ready for Christmas when only last week

You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street?

Ready for Christmas while holding a grudge?

Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge.

"She woke with a start and a cry of despair,"

There's so little time and I've still to prepare.Oh Father!

Forgive me, I see what you mean!

To be ready means more than a house swept clean.

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.

It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,

A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.

So to be ready for Christmas - be ready for Him."

Myrtle Haynes

Christmas weather we want it or, nah, we want it...

I grew up in sunny, warm San Diego. Christmas was warm. Sometimes we would play with the hose or have water ballon fights. (yup, we fought on Christmas. But it was all good.)

Fast forward many, many years and here I am in southern Virginia. While we are considered the south, we are north enough to get snow some years on Christmas. (Okay, so I can only remember snow ON Christmas one time.) Usually we only get a bit of a chill on Christmas.

Today, it is chilly and rainy. The kind of rain that soaks to the bone and refuses to leave. So, what is a girl to do????

Why, take the girls to a bookstore for a book and a cuppa tea.

Oddly enough, we are ALL reading Vampire books. And we need the next one in the Morganville series.

Christmas colors are red and green. There is red in the blood, and green in my face when I think about the blood.

So that makes these Christmas-ey books. No????

Gotta go. There are about a hundred more books calling to me too ......

Journal MY Christmas - Declaration

I am riding along with Shimelle this December/January in her Journal Your Christmas class. It's a GREAT deal. Why? You ask. Because you pay for one year and get, are you ready,

ALL FUTURE YEARS FREE.

Yup, you are buying a life-time membership to the Journal Your Christmas Club. How stinkin' cool is that!!!

So, here is my Declaration:

I am going to enjoy Christmas, and all of the pagentry that goes along with it.

That's it. Oh, yeah, and along the way I am going to create an awesome little album about Christmas and all of the pagentry that goes along with it. I won't be stressing about getting the perfect picture. Or worried about getting the words down on paper well enough to impress Mrs. Brown from high school. (really I can't remember her name, but you know what I mean.) I also am not going to stress/worry/feel inadequate for scrap-lifting. No one who sees my album will know, and if I ever get a prize for it, I will acknowledge all the great, creative minds I can remember.

So, there it is. My December 2009 /January 2010 Declaration.

(note: By posting this a day late, I have already proven my commitment to my declaration. Just incase you were wondering how serious I was going to stay about this.)

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? New digital camera, more Copic markers, gift certs for some on-line classes, personal trainer sessions and a new coat.

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? The Christmas ornaments my girls make for me.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? I want to learn to knit and make a scarf. Doesn't sound too daring, but it's what I want to do.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? A winter coat with a fake fur collar. I was 10 and I REALLY wanted that coat. It was really odd because I grew up in sunny, warm San Diego. But I LOVED that coat and it made my day. I wore it all that day. I'm sure I was hot, but I LOVED that coat.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year? M1 wants a guitar and lessons, M2 wants books and gift cards to Barnes and Noble, and M3 wants Matchbox race tracks, Barbie houses, a TV and gift cards to Toys R Us.

6. What is your favorite holiday food? I love my Grandma's Stuffing and green bean casserole.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? I made advent calendars for my Mom and Sister and girlfriends, AND I will be making some more goodies. Totes, more advent calendars (gotta get busy this weekend) and a Daily Scrapbook from the season.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie? I have two. It's a Wonderful Life AND Ernest Saves Christmas.

9. Favorite holiday song? I can't pick just one. I love a lot of them.

10. Favorite holiday pastime? Candy cane consumption.

Holidays in Hand - Day One

Jessica Sprague is offering a free class to get the Holidays going.

There's still time to sign up. I think today is the last day though, so hurry and get over there.

Go on. I'll wait......

Signed up and ready?!?!!??? Good.

This year I hope to not get caught up in "the girls have got to have this" frenzy, like I do most other years. I really want to reign it in and be more practical about the gifts they get from us. I want them to grasp the concept that Christmas is more a Spirit than a gift receiving fiasco. I want them to appreciate what they have and be grateful that other people think enough to get them ANYTHING at all. My girls are not bad girls. Just over indulged. I would love to turn this into the Homemade gift year. But that isn't practical now is it?

So, I will try to ease up on the shopping and get more into the "doing".

You know, making cookies, hot chocolate, stringing popcorn for the tree, maybe make bird feeders for the yard (pinecones, peanut butter and bird seed).

I would like to take more meaningful photos too. I want to capture the feel of the season.

If you have ideas, let me know. If you have examples, leave me a link.

Wish me luck with my journey.

Christmas 2009 Overlay Freebies

Here's a Christmas one with snowflakes.
(click to enlarge and then right click to save)

Here's another one with out the snowflakes.

These are so easy.

Freebie Thanksgiving Overlay

I have been playing in PSE and came up with this overlay for a 4x6 photo.
I really like it and thought you might too.

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Just click on the black bordered copy and save as a png file.

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I am new to this and don't know how to do it any other way today.
I'll look into it a bit more so hopefully next time it will be better.

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Have a great day.

Thanksgiving Placecards

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year. We arent' formal, fancy people. We usually just wear jeans and t-shirts. But I am going to dress up the table a bit this year with these placecards. Now I am off to plan the menu...

The value of a #2 pencil

YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD!!

The value of a Catholic education and a #2 pencil

Little Susie was not the best student in Catholic School. Usually she slept through the class.
One day her teacher, a Nun, called on her while she was sleeping.
'Tell me Susie, who created the universe?'
When Susie didn't stir, little Johnny who was her friend sitting behind her, took his pencil and jabbed her in the rear.
'God Almighty!' shouted Susie.
The Nun said, 'Very good' and continued teaching her class.
A little later the Nun asked Susie, 'Who is our Lord and Savior?'
But Susie didn't stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to her rescue and stuck her in the butt.
'Jesus Christ!!!' shouted Susie.
And the Nun once again said, 'Very good,' and Susie fell back asleep.
The Nun asked her a third question...'What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?'
Again, Johnny came to the rescue. This time Susie jumped up and shouted, 'If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!'
The nun fainted!

Paper Bag Album - Fall Beachy-ish

I took a class last night at my local scrapbook store. The woman teaching the class is a doll. She offered up all sorts of goodies from her stash for us to use. Extremely generous of her. Anyway, we were to choose the papers ourselves. I wanted a Fall colored album and found papers that made me happy.

It took a lot of effort on my part to get the structure of the album together. I tend to talk quite a bit when placed in a room with other women. Go figure. I work with mostly men all day. It was HEAVEN I tell ya. The estrogen was flowing last night. I made two new friends. Who like to play with paper and glue too. I see playdates in my future.



Anyway, here is what I came up with:

Album Cover

I didn't punch holes for the binder rings like the teacher wanted us to do. Instead I scored a piece of the cardstock and wrapped it around the front and back cover to make a spine.

Album cover with flap open

Inside pages 1 and 2.
The orange piece is a little page made from the bottom of the lunch bag.

Page 1 - Tag page sticking out
I used the inside of the bag for an additional page. Punched a half circle to make the page easier to see and get out.

Page 2 - Tag page sticking out
I did the same thing here for the tag page.

Another shot of page 2 open

Page 3 and 4
The pocket that the yellow tag/page is in is actually a bag that has been cut shorter.

Page 3 - Tag/page sticking out

Back cover

Ingredients: 4 lunch sized paper bags, 3 each 12x12 double sided patterned paper, 2 each 8.5x11 solid cardstock, embellishments, adhesive, paper cutter, assorted punches, ink (for distressing)

I can't tell you the name of the patterned paper. I usually don't keep track of these things. I don' t currently have a desire to be on any design teams, so I don't have a need to know. I also can't tell you which TV station is on which channel. Or who sings that song you are listening to. If I like something, I like it. I just don't know who makes, sings or acts in it. It's one of my charms.

Thanks for looking. If you have any questions, leave me a comment. I'll do my best to answer them.

A special thanks for putting up with my really bad photography. I have a class lined up. (I hope.)

The Votes are in.

Here is the poster that we finally agreed upon.

Much to the relief of this politicians mother, Melissa is now the 4th Grade SCA Historian at her school.

The installation ceremony was yesterday afternoon. They let her hold a candle. With a flame.

Look at that smile. My heart just melted while I was witnessing her take the oath.

Here she is (second one from the right) with her fellow SCA Officers.

And of course the official group shot. (Again, she is second from the right)

Somehow I don't think I am the only one breathing easier.

NOTE: I forgot the camera at home. It really wasn't on my mind. Morgan had a tooth ache over the weekend and it continued Monday morning, so I took her to the dentist. She had to have a tooth pulled and my schedule was a bit rushed because of the timing of the two events. But I had my cell phone and took the bad pictures you see here. At least I have something. I usually have my camera in my purse. I have been slacking.

Best Witches for Halloween

Happy Halloween all.

Halloween Party Sleepover Goodie Bags

Here are the finished goodie bags the girls got to take home with them on Saturday. I used the regular cellophane goodie bags from the $ store, inserted a piece of black cardstock to provide a bit of stability and then stuffed with all sorts of goodies. Including a gross candy finger, creepy spiders, stickers, and a mouse. I had a time of it trying to get the bags stapled, so I ended up putting two staples in before I put the topper on. I actually had to take out two of the items that the girls wanted to include. I just put them in a bowl during the party and let them snack. I kept the decoration simple because the girls are just going to rip the bags open and toss them. And I needed to spend my time on the mini albums.

The candy skull bracelets came in a four pack. I split them up into bags and topped them with paper to match the goodie bags. Which also matches the invitations. The monster seeds came in a 10 pack. Morgan and I came up with the instructions, printed them and bagged them. It was all her idea. She is SO my kid.