Merry Christmas from an Errant Poster

Merry Christmas to you and yours! I hope you had a fantastic holiday! Mine was full of family as well as some not to pleasant drama but I survived and I'm here to tell the tale! Ha! Seriously, families can be a pain in the ass sometimes and I'd rather not retell the tale but just know that I still love each and every one of my family members and it was good to see them again.

Part of the drama in the family is that both Hubby's Dad and his Grandma both suffered a stroke a few days apart from each other about three weeks ago. They are both doing well but it did throw some kinks into our Christmas get-togethers this year. Grandma won't be back to 100% since she fell and fractured her pelvis during the stroke and then had a second stroke while she was in the hospital. She does have some brain damage and will not be able to live independently anymore and that will be a big change for her.

That and I think money was also another source of stress for some. Everyone cut back this year, and some couldn't afford gifts at all, so there was a bit of wounded pride. Even though we all know that giving gifts isn't the real meaning of Christmas, it does make us feel good to give to others this time of year.

Now I'm starting to think about the New Year. Do you make resolutions? I normally write up a new set of goals each year. The past year or two have been really lackluster as far as my efforts and determination have gone. I'm hoping to get things back on track in 2009 as I say goodbye to my ScrapFriends gig (and hopefully hello to the CMK design team instead). Either way I've got plans.....whoooaaaa ha ha ha!! Can you feel the evil laughter?

I'll spend a bit of time writing down my goals. I hope you'll join in and share yours with me.

And...before I go...a little layout for you:

Create My Keepsake DT Application

Here's my entry for the Create My Keepsake design team application: (Note: You can click on any picture to view it larger.)

3 cardstock -

1 Stampin Up (red)
1 Bazzill (black)
1 Bazzill Bling (blue)

6 patterned papers -
Tinkering Ink Al Fresco - Strisce
Tinkering Ink Beau Jardin - Meadow
BasicGrey Urban Prairie - Weather Vane
BasicGrey Urban Prairie - Bluebird
BasicGrey Urban Prairie - Petticoat
Making Memories Addie - Die Cut Flower

1 alpha,
BasicGrey Urban Prairie Alphabet Stickers

1 rubons,
Maya Road Cherry Blossoms

bling/brads/buttons,
Me & My Big Ideas Icons
American Crafts Flair Badges - Smile
Assorted Sequins

chipboard/rubber charms/flowers,
Scenic Route Butterflies chipboard

stickers/die-cut shapes/journaling cards, and
BasicGrey Urban Prairie - Element Stickers

ribbon/trim
4 Assorted Bazzill Just the Edge Cardstock Strips - black

Miscellaneous
piece of vintage book page

Title: Look What I Can Do!

Design Notes: I layered two chipboard pieces to make the butterfly, inking the edges before adhering them together. I used a random circle shape and scissors to create the circle.

Journaling: This is your new thing now. "Hey, Mom look at this!" you say with pure excitement. You can almost see the adrenaline rushing through your body as you've achieved each new goal. Whether it be shooting a basket, doing a new trick on the skateboard, popping a wheelie on your bike or beating a video game, just remember that life is not about winning but the journey along the way.

Title: Little Gym(nast)

Design Notes: I hand cut the leaves from a piece of patterned paper and glued them on this page. The photo mats were torn and inked. I placed the bling along the Bazzill edge cardstock. The title plays on my kids' experience at the Little Gym. I had each of my children descibe their experience this day for the journaling.

Journaling: Katie - The Little Gym is no fun! We got to go in a fire truck and other stuff. There was an inflatable mat that we could jump on. I wish I could go there again. Korbin - The cupcakes were good.

Title: A Duck

Design Notes: I used the vintage book page on top of the chipboard and inked the edges. The bling was put on top of the flower rub ons and inside the cut out in the Making Memories patterned paper. I also layered a rub on over top of the Bazzill cardstock accent below the photo.

Journaling: I saw you while walking around the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. My first time there. 9/08

Title: Smile Card

As published in the April issue of ScrapStreet ezine.

Design Notes: I created this card using the leftover scrap from the Making Memories patterned paper. I layered several pieces of cardstock shapes on top and added the flower image button. I love the way the cardstock petals add to the design. I also cut the front short and layered the Bazzill scalloped edge to the bottom.

Title: Birds and Blossoms Card

Design Notes: I used patterned paper that I distressed and inked the edges of for my base. I layered yellow flower sequins in a strip and then added a small section of Bazzill scalloped edge cardstock below and applied a few rub ons above them.

Title: Girls Keepsake Box

Design Notes: This was a small old cardboard box I've had laying around. I applied patterned paper to the outside, painted the inside and used black cardstock over top of the chipboard butterfly. I outlined its edges with bling. I plan to give this to my daughter to hold some tiny treasures.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - December Delights

I know, I know...it's been like forever since I posted. Bad me!!

Life has been good. I had an excellent Thanksgiving and gracefully it was the first one since my sister died that I didn't feel like my day was totally missing something...and what right did I have to be celebrating anyway??

I also visited my BIL and his new girlfriend in the house he and my sister had lived in for the first time since she passed...it was long overdue but still caused me some panic and anxiety. Would the house look the same? Would I feel my sister around me? What would I think of his new girlfriend? I've missed seeing the kids sooo much so I focused on them and did really enjoy the time together.

I guess the third year is the one for me where things start to settle in a bit.

This is my last month at ScrapFriends and my assignments are near completion. The January reviews will be assigned soon and I'll get to see all I'll be missing. It is so bittersweet. I have many thoughts of creative ideas and being able to really do what I want to do just for the fun of it soon and that has me very excited. Perhaps this will finally be my chance to clean my scrap room a bit and use up some of my old stuff.

I just finished a review for Claudine Hellmuth's Collage Textures and Techniques DVD which will be published on ScrapFriends in about a week. It inspired me to create the new header for my blog. I used the petroleum jelly technique as a resist for the paint on the ART letter pieces. Whaddaya think?

This month's big project is applying for the Create My Keepsake DT call. It is the one I mentioned in my earlier post. I've been a lurker and shopper there for a long time but have only recently been participating in their forum. I LOVE how interactive the site is, the owner is top notch, the store ROCKS and the ladies are super talented. I see that some members have applied to the DT for many years without success....ack! I may not make the cut, but it is truly what I wish for more than anything else. I'm busy putting together my kit for the entry and will be posting it and my projects in another week or two. I'm hoping the creative fairy stops by and gives my work that extra something. :D

Oh yes, we also got our first big snowstorm last night and today. I think we got around 7" of snow and the schools closed. Our schools are notorious for staying open no matter what so it is a really big deal when they close! It was so windy and snowy that I didn't even bother trying to make it into work.

Later...