Sunday, December 28, 2008

I missed my favorite holiday!

I must say that I'm not really one of those people that goes nuts about holidays. Any holiday, really. I don't really do a lot of decorations or send a lot of cards. Heck, some holidays I don't even celebrate at all! I'm doing better with it ever since I became a mother, maybe one day I will be one of 'those' people. On my list of favorite Beate holidays are Day after Halloween, Day after Easter, and, the most hallowed of all Beate holidays, the Day after Christmas. Obviously, the day after Easter and Halloween are really all about the 50% off candy. But the DAC is special. It's when everything I love is 50-70% off. The DAC brings such joy to my bargain hunting soul. I have to go to Walmart first, because all of their stupid gift sets are 50% off. They also have Christmas crafts too. And I love Boscovs. They have amazing sales on purses. And, even though I have been carrying around a diaper bag in lieu of a purse for the past 19 months that doesn't mean that I won't get one. It just means that the one I get won't be practical. I also need to look at the jewelery, scope out Bath and Body Works, Target, Michaels and Joanns. Michaels and Joanns are the best because they usually mark down the Christmas stuff 70%. That stuff will be in high demand and at full price in a mere 10 months :) Maybe even 9, as Christmas does seem to come earlier every year thanks to greedy corporate America. Alas, this year I missed my favorite holiday! It's all my brother's fault. He decided to bring his four sick children to the Christmas eve family get together. Everyone in our family has been throwing up since then. And I missed the shopping. We're finally feeling better (and hopefully not contagious any longer). So today I will go out, and, no matter how many bargains I find, I will be so sad knowing in my heart that I missed the BEST bargains of all.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Yummy Yummy Blog Candy!

Ooh, I just found such a cool blog today! I am always amazed at the talent that there is out there. It kinda makes me thankful that I live in the day and age I do. I don't know how I lived without the internet! Anyhow, in addition to an amazing blog, I found some of the yummiest blog candy! Check it out for yourself at LifeasLou.blogsome.com

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Snowman Cupcakes

When I saw the cover of Taste of Home I knew I had to try these out. I'm not very good at cake decorating, but these were super simple and I had everything I needed on hand, which kind of frightened me a little. I guess it was a good thing.... Anyway, here is my attempt. I omitted the hats (shown in the magazine) because it was icy here and it just wasn't worth it to go out and get chocolate wafers.

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

Well, while I was browsing in my local Dollar Store (I keep finding the best stuff there) I found these wooden stockings. You are supposed to paint them, but I think if Monet himself painted these things they still would end up really tacky (sorry, Claude). I ended up using a heat tool to remove the shapes stuck on top of the stocking and give me a flat surface. I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper. The paper I used for all 4 stockings is from the My Mind's Eye Christmas Short Stack. It is so nice to get stacks like this that way everything just complements every thing else and it saves a lot of time. The hearts on this stocking are cut on my cricut (Plaintin Schoolbook) as is all of the lettering. I used a glittered bell (also from Dollar Tree) and the Holly leaves are from Prima. The tree chipboard is from Colorbok, covered with MME paper and I glittered the star with Doodlebug glitter. The Chipboard Ornament is from Cosmo Cricket. I used some Making Memories trim on top of it for a little exta texture. All of the stockings are inked with Weathered Wood Distress Ink to give them a little more dimension. This last stocking is by far my favorite. I LOVE the Cosmo Cricket snowman. Isn't he the cutest? I also used Prima flowers on this one (hope Hubby doesn't find it too girlie). I used snaps for the centers the way Tim Holtz did in one of his 12 tags of Christmas. I thought that was very ingenious of him. Well, that's what I've been up to this weekend. I'm also working on another project that I hope to share with you soon. Thanks for reading and have a super blessed day.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Happy Everything!

Well, can you tell I am losing hope that I am going to get all my Christmas cards sent by the sentiment on this card? I hope it gets sent by Christmas, really I do, but it is getting closer and closer.I made this card based of a pagemaps sketch that I really loved. The image is from a swap I did on cafemom, so I'm unsure of it's origin. I colored it in with watercolor pencils. I used Distress Stickles for the snowman noses and to accent the snowflakes. I cut the heart out on my Cricut, used some Doodlebug glitter on it around the edges. I busted out the scallop edge scissors on the purple paper. This card is for a dear friend of mine, so check your mailbox in a few days/weeks to see if it is you :) Thanks for looking! Have a great day!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wishing you...

Here is another type of Christmas card I made. I don't enjoy making the same thing over and over, but I made ten of these. This was a sketch over at A Spoonful of Sugar. I made it that week, but never posted it in time. I used DCWV textured cardstock, and glittered paper from My Mind's Eye

Monday, December 1, 2008

Christmas Cards

Here are a few simple cards I made from some stamped images that I received from a friend on Cafemom. I just love House Mouse. I have so much fun coloring in stamps. My son is learning to color and he likes to do it with me. Thanks for reading. I hope you have a lovely day.