*stuff it*

So, I've finally got my Christmas cards done. Well, some of them anyway. I've got to tell you... I LOVE these snowflakes from Sketchbook Designs! Marie sent me so much awesome product to work with, but I just can't put these snowflakes away. There are so many possibilities... cover them in glass glitter (like on the "Noel" card), add little rhinestones, or just use them in all their beautiful simplicity! The fabulous mirrored letters on the 2nd "let It Snow" card are also from Sketchbook Designs... so pretty!







So, now that I have cards, I need some pictures to stuff them with. Hazel, by herself (even with the dog), takes a pretty cute pic...





But, add Luka AND the dog into the mix? Forget about it! Even Luka and Hazel by themselves ends in a lot of botched pictures. I got two that are pretty darn cute...





I'm having a hard time deciding which one to use in the Christmas cards. As cute as the kissing one is, I think my family would appreciate the one where they can see their faces and how they've grown. I just wish Luka would smile more in pictures, rather than that blank expression. So, which picture do you think I should use?

On to Friday Fill-Ins...

1. Snow. I miss it. It just doesn't feel like Christmas without it.

2. I'm looking forward to Hazel's cheerleading competition tomorrow.

3. Orville Redenbacher's Cracked Pepper Natural Popcorn is the best popcorn ever! I'm sooo... addicted!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Designing Women. I know. Embarrassing, right?

5. I'm done with quite a bit of my to-do list for this week. Finally!

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the food. Food, glorious food! I'll be starting my diet on Jan 1st.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a lot, tomorrow my plans include Hazel's cheerleading competition and building her dollhouse for Christmas and Sunday, I want to put up our outside Christmas lights!

That's it. Happy Friday peeps!

Dear December,

How did you manage to sneak up on me this year? I swear, last week June and I were kickin' it. But, now I'm trying to get acquainted with these frosty mornings where you can see your breath lingering in the air. How is it possible that the summer sun has already gone on vacay? Don't get me wrong, I love the chilly temperatures that you bring with you. I love the mornings filled with hot chocolate, knit slippers, and Christmas music floating happily about my living room. Hey, I know that you can't turn back the clock, but could you at least slow down a little bit? I am not in the holiday spirit. I need more time. I'm just not feeling ya' yet, December. So, don't you dare go thinking that you can fast forward to Christmas day in the blink of an eye. Don't you dare... or I might not be willing to kiss and make up when you decide you want to get back together next year.

xo,
Holly

P.S. I thought I would include some pictures of the ornaments I made for the swap I hosted over at Label Tulip. You know, in some attempt to prove that I haven't totally wasted the first two days you've managed to whiz right past me. Again, if you could just slow down a little bit, I could get more pretty little things like these made.









Don't you just love those pretty little snowflakes? A couple of weeks ago, Marie of Sketchbook Designs asked if I would be interested in working with some of her fabulous products, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity! Be sure to check back over the next few days to see what else I have created with the goodies that she sent me... lots of fun Christmas projects and gift ideas! In the meantime, you might want to take a look around her Etsy store. She makes tons of cute wood, chipboard, mirrored and acrylic shapes, in addition to some wonderfully crafted acrylic albums... perfect to add to your list for Santa. ;0)

Oh, and one more thing... Label Tulip's stamp boutique is officially open for business again! In addition to the stamps, you won't want to miss out on the limited-time offer of some fabulous grab bags and 40% off all available previous kits (except from November). But, hurry up and stuff your stockings! Supplies are limited to stock on-hand, and won't be available after December 31st!

funny little thing...

this place called the internet is. You see, I started out here, which took me here, where I discovered this, made by him. Tim Haugen. Oh, my. This man is crazy talented. And, you know I like to share good things when I find them. And, these things are oh. so. good. His adorable softies aren't stuffed animals so much as they are plush little works of art. Which leaves me with a wee dilemma... do I buy these for my kids, or hoard them all to myself?









Freaking adorable, right? Hello? Tap. Tap. Is this thing on? Santa? I'll be an extra-good girl if you'd kindly just drop one of these lovelies in my stocking on Christmas morn. Yup. Thanks.

You can check out more of Tim Haugen's creations at his Etsy store or at the Fantastic Toys blog. Oh yes, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wheeeee!

Have you checked out Prima's blog lately? They finally announced the winners of the Build-A-Book contest! Remember this banner that I made for on of my nieces for Christmas?



Third place... not too shabby! There were some beautiful projects. I especially loved the Christmas and Paris books... SO fantastically detailed!

That's all I really had to say. I've been busy trying to get my house cleaned before my parents arrive today. There's also been some Thanksgiving cooking preparations thrown in there, and I've been trying to squeeze in some crafting time too. We'll see how successful that endeavor is. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and, if you're traveling... be safe!

...better late than never...

That seems to be my life's little slogan these days. It's the holidays. Usually, I am in a Christmas crafting frenzy by this time. So, what's the deal with this year? Meh. It's not that I don't have ideas. It's not that I haven't been busier than a one-armed paper hanger (where did that phrase come from, anyway?). It certainly isn't for lack of trying. Things just don't seem to be coming together the way that they should.

It will be December in a few short days, and I have yet to even start making my Christmas cards. I don't even have any design in mind. And, I'll let you in on a little secret. Shhhhhh... come closer. Just a little closer... I don't want anyone else to hear this. I might actually send out *gasp* BOXED cards this year! I know. Shameful, isn't it? Of course I'll make a couple handmade ones for my mom, my bestie, and a couple of crafty buddies (actually, I'll probably pull from the pile of cards I've made for some DT obligations). But, they rest of you... if you're out there... you'll all be getting the Target specials. I make no apologies. Most of you probably just end up chucking my glittery hard work in the circular file at the end of the holidays anyway.

I've purchased Santa hats for the kids (and reindeer antlers for the dog... sorry, Sake) in hopes of snapping some photos to stuff in those cards. No studio shots this year. Not in the budget. If I manage to escape from the "better late than never" curse that is hiding in every little corner of my world, I might actually get some of the photos printed from tinyprints.com. Maybe not.

So, by this time, I imagine you're thinking, "Get on with it lady! Where's they eye candy?" Oh. You actually come here planning to see something crafty? I see. I see. I have one page to share. That's it. One. Uno. Eins.





A LO I made for the current challenge at So Tell Me Your Story. "Scrap what you're thankful for" seems to be a popular theme for challenges this time of year. I know it was what I chose for November's LT challenge this month. Original, right? And, in attempt to be a little more introspective on the theme, I created this page. (Plus, I had already scrapped about how thankful I am for my fam in the LT challenge). I'm not going to go into the whole story behind this layout. Not here. But, I'll just say that as far as relationships go (not of the marital sort, mind you), it was time to let go of a couple that were more of the painful variety. And, I'm thankful that I finally reached inside, and found the strength to walk away. I tend to make excuses for people when they hurt me. Way too many excuses. Time to shake free of that. Life is too short. Sometimes, you just run out of excuses. Sometimes, things are just unforgivable. Sometimes, you just. have. to. let. go. Even if it hurts a little. Or a lot. And, that's all she had to say about that.

And, sticking with the whole "better late than never theme," how about some Friday fill-ins. I know. I know. It's Monday... not Friday. And, yes, I know everyone else is doing it. But, it's a fun way to let a little bit more of myself peek out from the cracks. And, I was missing blogging even when I didn't have something crafty to share. So, here we go. Friday fill-ins on a Monday morn...

1. The last band I saw live was Dave Matthews Band. Sad. I used to go see them every year. Last time I went? 2005. Sad. Just sad.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is food, family, champagne, and did I mention food?

3. My Christmas shopping is a work in progress. I'm usually done by Thanksgiving. As for this year, please refer to the title of this post.

4. Thoughts of chores fill my head. Again, sad. There is SO MUCH to do before my dad and Carol get here on Wed!

5. I wish I could wear half of what's in my closet. I've gained a little weight. Just enough to make things fit a little too snug. And, I've got some pieces in need of some serious repair that are hidden in there. Guess I should break out the sewing kit... and my elliptical machine.

6. Bagpipes. My cousin and uncle play the bagpipes. And, they play them well... even marched with their Scottish band at Dollywood. How many of you can say that? LOL!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! Okay, it's Monday. The weekend is over. So, let's rephrase this. Tonight I'm looking forward to nothing. Believe it or not, I do not enjoy the frantic cleaning that occurs before Thanksgiving and a visit from the 'rents. And, did I mention that, in the middle of said cleaning, I have to get Hazel all the way across town to cheerleading practice? Today does not look to be much fun. Tomorrow my plans include cleaning, cooking, more cleaning. And, Wednesday I want to have most of my cooking prep done, and start working with some top-secret product that was sent my way! I'll be back to share some of those goodies soon. Promise. Promise.