JOY

Somehow, not only for Christmas,

But all the long year through,

The JOY that you give to others,

Is the JOY that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing,

The poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart's possessing,

Returns to you glad.

~John Greenleaf Whittier~

Looking Forward to Christmas

Well Christmas is just around the corner and I am so excited. I have the Christmas spirit in my heart and I can't wait to travel out of town to get together with my family and celebrate this joyous Holiday Season with lots of laughter,good times and good food. I am still shopping for last minute Christmas gifts, but I hope to be finished with everything by tomorrow. I hope you have all of your shopping done.

I wanted to share with you a couple of cards I made recently. My first card is a Christmas card I made for a friend in Spain. I hope she likes it.

The second card I made is for Janelle Richmond from Card Studio Designs and sketchthis:cards. Today is her birthday, so several of us made a card for her to post in the CSD gallery today. Happy Birthday Janelle!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek.

LRS December Kit Sneak Peeks

Do you want to see some sneaky peaks of the projects I made using the Little Red Scrapbook Dec Kit? The kit was full of American Crafts Elegant line and AC chipboard shapes. It was just beautiful to work with.

Thanks for taking a peak and I hope your Monday is going well!

Dec Treasured Scrapbooking Kit #1

Here are a few projects I made using Treasured Scrapbooking December Kit #1. It really is such a fun kit to work with.

A Fun Layout:

My Altered Project:

I purchased the wooden shoe shape from damboisedesigns.etsy.com. Deb really has so many cute shapes to alter.

Thanks for looking and I hope your are having a fantastic weekend!!

Fun With Broken Ornaments

Yes that's what I said...broken ornaments. We had a little fun at Teresa McFayden's Ezine 12 Days of Comfort and Joy. For Day #3 Teresa gave us permission to have a little fun and crush some glass ornaments. The ending results were some very shiny glittery glass shards. They are just beautiful. Then on Day #4 we used these glittery shards to decorate a flower and a candle to create a beautiful center piece. I made a scaled down version, just a little something to put into my office. I really had a lot of fun doing this. If you happen to come across some broken glass ornaments while you are setting up the Christmas tree, you might want to keep this idea in mind.


P.S. Don't forget about the 12 Days of Christmas Crop happening at Treasured Scrapbooking. Go on over and check out all of the fun challenges. There are only a few more days of challenges left to go, but the deadline to upload your projects in the 12 Days of Christmas gallery is Sunday, Dec 16th at 11:59 pm EST. For every project you upload to the gallery, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an awesome scrappy prize package.

A Couple of Layouts

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I had a quite and relaxing weekend with my kids and and my sister and niece. Today I wanted to share of couple of layouts I recently made for some challenges on Scrapbook Heaven. The first layout was for a challenge where we had to doodle on our photo(s). I used an American Crafts gold glitter pen to doodle of this photo of my daughter. I had a lot of fun with this challenge so I might have to try this again.

The second layout I created, was for a challenge where I had to use a song on my layout or for the title. I chose an oldies but goodies song for my title - Beautiful Dreamer by Stephen Foster. If you would like to read the journaling to this layout you can read it here.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I hope you have a beautiful and joyful week!!

Hand Crafted Mittens

The wonderful and talented Teresa McFayden is having an awesome 12 Days of Comfort and Joy online class where she is sharing a project a day for 12 days with us. I just love her stuff. This is our project from Day #5. Aren't they the sweetest things eva!! Teresa has the pattern online, if you join her class. I purchased some yummy embossed felt at Hobby Lobby and I just love the way they turned out.

These are hanging in my office and are adding some much needed Christmas cheer.


These are the mittens made by Teresa for our class. Don't you just love the soft winter colors. I hope you are almost ready for Christmas! Talk with you again soon.

A Layout and An Altered Composition Book

Here is a layout I created using some of the leftover squares of pattern paper from the ornaments I made. I thought the papers were just to pretty not to use them on something else. My twins are graduating from high school this year, so I am going to hang this layout in my scrappy room as my inspiration to start letting them go (at least a little bit anyway...LOL).

I also wanted to share with you an altered composition book that I made as a gift for a friend. I used a lot of yummy Melissa Frances papers that was included in the November Little Red Scrapbook kit, along with some MF glitter and a few other goodies. I stamped the word "Reflections", the word phrases and the little red and grey flowers using some acrylic stamps designed by LRS. My friend is a school teacher, so I finished the inside covers up using some pages from a 1960's math workbook. I hope she likes it.

I hope you are almost ready for Christmas and you are staying nice and warm. Have a great day!!

12 Days of Christmas Crop at Treasured Scrapbooking

Come and join us at Treasured Scrapbooking for 12 days of scrapping fun and games and prizes. Starting Monday, December 3, the Design Team will be posting either a challenge, a game, or a fun make-n-take project, every day for the next 12 days. You will have until Sunday, December 16th at midnight to finish uploading your layouts and/or projects to the gallery in the 12 Days of Christmas forum. For every layout or project that you upload your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a fabulous prize from Treasured Scrapbooking. Come on over and join the fun...you only need to click here to start your fun!! I hope to see you there!!

TS Dec 1st Layout and Sketch

The December scrapbooking monthly kits go on sell today at Treasured Scrapbooking, hurry on over before they sell out. I created this layout as part of my DT work using the December Treasured Scrapbooking Kit #1. I had a lot of fun using this kit. This kit came with some stickles and Making Memories foiling paper and those products were so fun to use. I used the stickles on the word "cold" and I used the MM foiling paper for the stars on the gloves (aren't they too cute!). Isn't this a yummy kit! Everything on this layout was included in the kit except for the American Crafts Thickers - Prancer (purchased from TS store), VersaMagic Ink (rec'd in an earlier TS Card Kit), Black & White Pens and staples.

I hope this layout leaves a little song in your heart and brings you a little Christmas spirit! Have a wonderful day!

Dec TS Sneak Peek and Star Ornament #2

Tomorrow is December 1st (wow is Christmas really that close?? yikes!!) and I will get to share with you one of my layouts that I created with the December Treasured Scrapbooking Kit #1. It was jam packed full of goodies this month. And best of all, the kit does not limit you only to Christmas themed layouts. The colors in the kit are just beautiful. Here is a little sneak peek of different sections of my layout. Isn't it yummy looking?

I also wanted to share with you my second Star Ornament that I made in my online ornament class at Little Red Scrapbook. It's a little different than the one the instructor made, but I really like the way it turned out. The ornament looks so much prettier IRL...the little clear buttons really reflect the glitter.

Take care and be sure to check back with me tomorrow when I post my layout and tell you about something exciting happening at Treasured Scrapbooking.

A Few Cards

I received the November Treasured Scrapbooking Card Kit and I couldn't wait to use it, so I made a few cards with it this weekend. Leslie's card kits are so packed with goodies, you can check them out here.

The first card I made I used sketch #33 from sketchthis:cards for my inspiration. It was such a fun and simple sketch to use that this card came together rather quickly:

The second card I made for sketch #4 challenge at Card Studio Designs. It was very late at night when I started this card so I just kept it simple.


Thanks for taking a peek and I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Peppermint Swap {SIWL Ornament Swap}

Deb Damboise of Say It With Letters is hosting a fun ornament swap called Peppermint Swap. For my ornaments, I decided to try a technique that I have never done before. I don't know the name of this technique, but you simply take little squares of fabric and fold them to create little triangles and then you attach them to create different patterns. Instead of using fabric, I decided to use some patterned paper. In keeping with the peppermint theme, I choose two different floral papers by Anna Griffin that had some red and white in it, and some red paper by SandyLion and to tie the colors together I choose some beige paper by Making Memories. Here is a peek at my ornaments:

I found the whole process of making these ornaments really relaxing, even though they were a little time consuming. I really like they way they turned out; I only hope my swappers like them too. Thanks Deb for hosting such a fun swap!!

Thanks for taking a peek and I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!!

Not Today

Well I tried out for a card designer position at Card Studio Designs, but I didn't make the team. I am excited though because now I get to share the card I made especially for the design team call with you. I had to use Making Memories Product, Chipboard and a label (I used a dymo label, but cut each letter to create my sentiment). Here is my card:

Congratulations to all of the talented ladies who did make the team. I look forward to being inspired by each and every one of them.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Star Ornament

Here is my first ornament I made from my Little Red Scrapbook online Ornament class. Deanne Schermerhorn is teaching the class and she is such a talented lady. We are going to be making a total of 6 ornaments. This one was so quick and easy to make, I can't wait to make some more. If you haven't taken an online course, you should check them out here.

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Sketch #32 & TS Dec Kit #1 Sneak Peek!

Here is my take on sketch #32 on sketchthis:cards blog. It was a fun sketch. I created this card using some yummy Melissa Frances papers I received in my November Little Red Scrapbook kit. The colorful leaves are from my secret sister, Lorry on LRS. Thanks Lorry they are gorgeous!

I'm waiting to get my DT kit from Treasured Scrapbooking. The December TS Kit #1 is full of yumminess this month. I can't wait to start playing with it. Here's a sneak peek!! If you want one, you better hurry and get one while they last.

Take care, and I talk again soon.

TS Nov Kit #1 Goodies

Today is the 15th, which means I get to share more of my Treasured Scrapbooking goodies with everyone! Not only do I get to share, but so does the rest of the design team, so click here and be inspired by this team's talent and the yummy stuff Leslie's kits have to offer.

I used the TS Nov Kit #1 which was packed full of gorgeous papers and some very fun embellishments. I altered the 7 Gypsies Circle Book that came with the kit, and

I made this fun Halloween layout.

Thanks for taking a peek!! I will talk again soon.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

4,380 days ago a new chapter in my life began. My son was born at 8:20 am weighing in at 6 lbs 5 oz. He was so tiny, but he filled up my heart the moment I laid eyes on him. How blessed am I to have spent these past 12 years with you...wow how time flies. I hope you have an amazing day today!! I look forward to seeing you take your first steps towards becoming a teenager right before my very eyes. I love you sweetie!! May God bless you with many many more!!

Mix it Up Challenge #2

Here is another card I made this weekend for a challenge at Card Studio Designs. I had to create something using American Crafts, Scenic Route and 7Gypsies. I cut out the flowers from the AC paper and hand drew the details in the flowers. It was a fun challenge.

Sketch #31

Here is my take on Janel Richmond's sketch #31 on sketchthis:cards. It was a fun sketch. I used some beautiful Luxe papers and a journaling card from my monthly scrapbook kit from Treasured Scrapbooking.

So Excited!!

Leslie Hammill announced the new Design Team for Teasured Scrapbooking on Friday night at our Cyber Crop. And guess what......

The new Design Team is (in no particular order):
JoEllyn (josie_24)
Sarah (Sarah)
Erin (ErinGudge)
Melanie (Melanie)
Kathi (kathi_minikatie)
Dolores (Dolores)
Marcene (Marcene)
Shelly (Reel Girl)
Sara (arastoscrap) <<---------See that's Me!!
Amanda (Amanda L.)

I am on the List!!!! Whoohoo...doing a little happy dance!! I was so excited when Leslie invited me to be part of the design team for another term. The competition was tough. I am honored to be a part the TS team and Leslie is an awesome person to design for. Her kits are just so gorgeous. I am excited to start working with the new design team starting Dec 1st. I know those girls are going to push me to work harder, because they are all so talented, but I am looking forward to the challenge with great anticipation.

Have a great day and I'll talk again soon!!

Tonight & Tomorrow (Nov 9 & 10)

Is going to be fun fun fun!! Come and join me at Treasured Scrapbooking for some scrapping good time at our Cyber Crop! We are going to have a lot of cool challenges, games and whole lot of fun!! You will also have a chance to win some prizes...whoohoo. Love scrappy prizes!!

If you love make-n-takes, we have a few. I will be giving instructions on how to make this beautiful Thankful Banner!! So be sure you stop by and join the fun!!

Hope to see you there!!

A Pretty Card

I just wanted to to share a pretty card I made last night with some yummy Sassafras Lass papers and Fancy Pants felt goodness. This is my card for Sketch Challenge #3 at Card Studio Designs by Janelle Richmond.

I also wanted to share with you a beautiful angel my daughter made in memory of her "Little Grandma".

WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU LITTLE GRANDMA!!

Sneak Peak

Come join us at Treasured Scrapbooking for a fun filled Cyber Crop this weekend starting Friday night(Nov 9)and all day Saturday (Nov 10). We are going to have several challenges, games and prizes and a couple of make-n-take projects. This is a place where the scrapping is always fun and so are the people!!

Here is a sneak peak of my make-n-take project:

Hope to see you there!!

A Little Piece of Art

With the new time change, my kids got up early so we decided to get dressed and go to mass early and then went out to eat. I loved getting an early start to our day.

I'm working on a make and take project for our Cyber Crop at Treasured Scrapbooking. I'll try to post a sneak peak a little later in the week. Be sure to visit us at Treasured Scrapbooking.com on Friday night (Nov 9) and all day Saturday (Nov 10) for a lot of fun challenges, games and make and takes. It's going to be a lot of fun. You will get several layouts done and have a chance to win a prize from TS.

In the meantime I thought I would leave you with a little something pretty to look at. I created this birdhouse using the November Treasured Scrapbooking Kit #1. The project is going to be freatured in the upcoming TS newsletter. So if you want instructions on how to make this cute little birdhouse, be sure go signup for the newsletter before November 15th.

And here is the layout and the sketch that I created using this same TS kit. The colors in this kit are so yummy!! (Note: the color of the cardstock for this layout is actually a pale yellow color and not the light brown as shown in the picture.)

I hope you all had a great weekend! I will talk again soon!!