*the wrap*

Am I the only one that was crazy disappointed with this year's selection of wrapping paper and accoutrements? Usually Target has several different coordinated lines that have matching paper, bags, tags, ribbon, package decorations. Apparently, they decided to do away with that this year... much to my dismay. The best paper I found was actually at Michael's and Walgreens. Go figure. So, here I am, Christmas Eve... decent paper with no pretty package decorations to accessorize them with. Why not make our own?

These are super-quick, and are a perfect Christmas Eve craft to make with the kiddos. You don't have to clue them in to the fact that they are actually helping you with your last-minute wrapping. *wink* *wink* Not to mention... they make lovely keepsake ornaments after they are done with their job adorning your packages!

Grab some new Pink Paislee "Cupid" products. They might be intended for Valentine's Day, but they look lovely with the holiday bird paper I found at Michael's.

Start with some chipboard birds. Maya Road and Jenni Bowlin both make some cute ones. Cover the chipboard pieces with some patterned paper, accent it with glitter...



Add a flowered tail, and finish off your creation with some pretty jewels...



Then, punch a hole at the top of the bird, loop some ribbon through, and make a little hanger for the bird. Now it's ready to tie onto a package (or adorn your tree).



Now you have some pretty little birdies to perch atop your packages! The sky's the limit with decoration them... you imagination is the only limit.

** Incidentally, this will be my last project for Pink Paislee. I decided not to reapply for the 2010 team. Not that I don't love their product... I'm just trying to reorganize and reprioratize for the new year. I want to take this opportunity to thank Rebecca, and everyone else at Pink Paislee for the opportunity to design for them over the last year. It has been a wonderful experience, and I enjoyed it every minute. To the upcoming 2010 DT... you won't be disappointed! This is a fabulous company to work for!**

Happy holidays everyone!

no Christmas for me...

Beautiful. I came across this song several months ago... before I found out that my husband would be home for Christmas. I dedicate it to all the military wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters out there... and anyone else that finds themselves without their loved ones this holidays season.



I hope this finds you all warm, well, and in the arms of your loved ones this holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah... whatever you celebrate... merry, merry!

xo,
Holly

a picture...

is worth 1,000 words.



That picture... that whole layout pretty sums up how I've been feeling lately. I haven't blogged in, oh, about 3 weeks now. I just haven't had it in me.

For the most part, I consider myself a pretty strong woman. I get through deployment after deployment... and all the little things that go along with that. I rarely cry about it. I don't whine constantly about wanting my husband to come home. I married an army man... I knew what went along with that when he slipped the ring on my finger. You just have to pull on your big girl panties, suck it up, and carry on. After all, what does crying really do to solve anything? Not much, in my experience.

But, then you have a month where... Your stove breaks. Your heater clunks out. Your 5 year old is cutting molars, which makes her an incredibly difficult little girl to deal with. The military shorts your paycheck $250 (at Christmas-time no less). Your kids catch the flu... twice. You end up in the emergency room with one child whose temperature you can't get under 102. You get sick yourself. You have a frightening health scare which, after all, turns out to be nothing.

You can't help but want to throw in the towel, and call it quits. You don't feel particularly creative. You force yourself to make SOMETHING for your deadlines anyway. It feels like the perfect time to throw a pity party. And, I did just that. But, then, like every other time... you get over it. You pull yourself up by the boot straps, so to speak. You start to feel a little bit better. You remind yourself for all the things you are grateful for in your life, and you get on.

So, this is me... getting on. I'm determined to make the most of this Christmas. To help my children enjoy it... even with their dad thousands of miles away. I'm gettin' my mojo back. The lovely new "Letterbox" line from American Crafts helps a lot in that department. You can't help but make beautiful things with such beautiful product...





It's all availble on 2Peas now. So, head on over and grab some up!

As for me, I'm diving head-long into the holiday joy... I'll be back to spread some around here over the next few weeks. Can you believe it's already DECEMBER?!?