Wrap it up Inspired

Looking for some last minute wrapping inspiration? With just a couple pieces of card stock and a pair of scissors you can make the wrap part of the gift.

Supply List: 
Glitz Design “Hello December” paper: Trees
Glitz Design “Hello December” 6×6 paper pad
other: kraft paper, twine, jingle bells

Merry - Mary - Christmas

I took last week off from scrapbooking to welcome my husband home from a seven month deployment with the US Navy. We are so grateful to have him back home with us! 

For the next few weeks my Glitz projects will be on all things Christmas. This week I had "brown paper packages, tied up with string" on the mind, so I went with it. I've been trying to integrate a bit of my latest hobby (calligraphy) onto a few of my scrapbook pages for an extra special touch. 

"Merry 'Mary' Christmas" Supplies
Glitz Design "Hello December" paper: Love

Glitz Design "Hello December" 6x6 paper pack

Glitz Design "Hello December" Alphabets & Words Sticker Sheet

Glitz Design "Hello December" Whatnots

Glitz Design "Hello December" rubber stamps

Glitz Design "Hello Friend" rubber stamps

Glitz Design "Hello December" washi tape

other: Beacon decoupage glue, VersaMark ink, baker's twine, Studio Calico wood hearts, card stock  oblique calligraphy pen, Old World ink

game day

It was game day today, but since we don't really follow football, it was just family game day with Uno, Scrabble and Phase 10 topping the list. With a bit of a cold coming on, I didn't feel like doing much else after Church today. But really, what is better than spending the entire day in the company of your family? Life's beauty is hides in the ordinary moments. 

It has been a week of rough news, with several friends seriously ill. There are so many families that could use extra prayer these days. If you'd like to add a few to pray for my friend Joy and her father, Jim & Maggie and their grand daughter would definitely appreciate the support. 

Saturday was my nephew's 12th birthday. He (and my sister's family) have been battling through autism with not a little laughter and grace. This is one of my all time favorite photos of Aaron. If you're looking for a good laugh, and encouragement of someone full of grace and giggles in the trenches, check out my sister's blog with Aaron's antics.  

Yesterday was also the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)... forty days out from Christmas. It always amazes me how quickly time flies, and how much we must take hold and cherish each day.

Since this weekend was partially spent thinking back on Christmas, I thought the quote of the day should too.

"When once they lose sight of the old suggestion that it is all about something, they naturally fall into blank pauses of wondering what it is all about. To be told to rejoice on Christmas Day is reasonable and intelligible, if you understand the name, or even look at the word. To be told to rejoice on the twenty-fifth of December is like being told to rejoice at a quarter-past eleven on Thursday."-G.K. Chesterton, 'Brave New Family'

Sneak Peeks & Snapshots

In an effort to get back into the blogging habit, I have a few little snippets to share.

First off is a sneak peek of Punky Sprouts mini album for our New Year's Eve blog hop. Check back Monday to see the rest of the album and for a chance to win some Punky Sprouts goodies!

Since I've still found it a little difficult to dive back into my regular picture-taking obsessiveness with my "big camera", so I've dipped my toes in the water with my cell phone camera through Instagram. Here are a few snapshots from the past couple of weeks through the little lens of a cell phone.

I went to the top of the Space Needle for the first time (after living in Washington for 20 years) with my brother. Thanks Jason.

Still processing.

Story Cubes.

An extra special gift from my niece.

A seriously awesome gift from Joscie, handmade by Sam.

The week of Christmas, several of us spent a day sick in bed. This was Torrey's day.

Promises.

God is good - all the time.

All I Want for Christmas... is you

I was searching through my photo archives remembering Christmases gone by. I came across these fun pictures of my husband and I from a few years ago. They were taken the day before he deployed just before the holidays in 2007. He was gone that Christmas, and he is deployed again this Christmas. As I was flipping through the pictures the song "All I want for Christmas is You" began to play on my Pandora Christmas station. They struck me as the perfect lyrics for the pictures. Do you have a set of photos that would match up perfect with one of the many Christmas songs? Add the lyrics right on the photos, print and add them to your favorite Punky Sprouts album. (This is Punky Sprout's Teeny Beanie Album.) Have a very Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the blessings to come in the New Year.