How do you measure a year?

365 days... 8,760 hours...525,600 minutes...31,536,000 seconds...(don't check my math).

I've been blessed with another year. A year of joys, tears, successes, fears, love.

2010 is the year I started this blog. And, while I may not have "chatted" as much as I would have liked, I am thankful to have this outlet. Even if no one is listening or reading or looking. It's mine.

In the last 24 hours, I've made a list.

11 goals for 2011.

I still have about 24 hours to change and re-arrange...

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#1-Make time and take time to read.

#2-Finish our family Christmas photo mini-book. Book is made--it has no photos in it.

#3-Start a recipe scrapbook. Family favorites all in one place.

#4-Be ok with saying "no" to requests

#5-MOVE some everyday...even if it is 5 minutes. Preferably 15 minutes.

#6-Push, explore, and share my scrapping abilities. DT? I'm aiming for a secret something that I'm not willing to share yet.

#7-Initiate photo re-organization using Stacy Julian's Library of Memories method. Be ok with however far I get.

#8-Spend more time with girlfriends.

#9-Prayer and reflection everyday (and not in desperation)

#10- Dedication to a picture a day with...

#11- LOVING...my "one little word" for the year. Inspired by Ali Edwards project...read here for more details... http://aliedwards.com/2007/01/one-little-word-3.html . At the end of the year, I want to make a book with those 365 photos all reflecting on this one little word...LOVING

I'll focus on what I am LOVING each day. Finding something LOVING in each day. Recognizing LOVING that is happening in each day. What's your one little word?

These are my last layouts (from Fiskateers Liftateers) of 2010.

I am LOVING these.

Happy New Year~may it be a special one.

Where to put those gift cards....hmmm

I had some neighborhood friends over last night for a "wrap" party, and I taught all of them how to make these great gift card holders. They were all skeptical when I told them to bring over empty toilet paper rolls! But, we flattened the rolls, glued on papers and punches and embellishments and they were impressed with their own creativity!

To make these...

-flatten your paper roll

-cut the paper about 3/4 inch wider than your roll so you can fold the paper over one end. I found hot glue works the best for adhering this first layer of paper onto the cardboard roll.

-Cut the length just enough to wrap and overlap.

-Decorate, decorate, decorate.

-Then, make a small hole on the open end (all the way through both layers).

-Slide your gift card in and then place a brad in the hole to close it up.

Your relatives will be so impressed!

The 12th day of Christmas--2 more tags for me

My version of Tim's tag #9
I added a little color to the tag by using a burgundy paper for the rosette and for the matte under the phrase.



My version of Tim's tag #5

I used some snowflake patterned, glittered paper as the base and punched the holly leaves with some glittered paper (saved me some steps). I used a small square of some vintage-looking paper I had since I couldn't find a big Santa face like he had. Lastly, I used some Thickers for the "25" since I just wanted to simplify.


The 12 days of Christmas have come and gone, and I'm going to need at least 12 more days to get a few more of Tim Holtz' tags done. I've watched him through photos and videos teach techniques for embossing, stamp-making, masking, inking, crackling, and the list goes on. Let's just say I've added a few of his products to my Christmas list.

Tim's Tag #6, Kelly's Tag #1

12 days of Christmas, 12 days of tags over at Tim Holtz's blog. This guy has more creative juice in his little finger than I can only wish for. It is a challenge to find "substitutions" for his elements. He loads each tag with lots of new techniques. There are so many layers and steps, that each tag becomes a work of art. There is a lot of time that went into this one. Maybe the next one will go on a present...this one, is for ME.

Not a Christmas project, but still a project (or 3)

I recently followed a few sketches over at Allison Davis' blog for Scrapbook Generations new sketch site and publishing creative DT. While I didn't make the DT, it did allow me to get some pages done. Next on my "to do" list, getting 4 kids to sit still and look good for a Christmas photo. Wish me luck!

December is HERE! Project #1

I'm going to try really hard. I mean REALLY hard to post 12 projects before Christmas. Christmas projects to help you find the energy and blessings of Advent.

Day 1: Last year, I made an Advent calendar tree. I bought these little wood boxes from Oriental Trading Company. After many hours of sanding to get all of the doors to fit, I painted them, and then distressed them with sand paper. I created a structure that will allow all of the doors to slide open so the kids can pull out the slip of paper with the Advent activity for the day and the chocolate. Then, I pulled out my stash of stickers, ribbon, brads, and Christmas goodies to decorate each box. It's already become a favorite tradition.