Giant beautiful mug love!

* plus *

The perfect combo!!!

This time of year.....actually pretty much all year, I honestly feel as though I am always busy, and can't seem to catch up with life. But there is something special about Christmas time. There are so many extra little treats to enjoy. Snacking on scrumptious Christmas cookies from friends, laughing with my girlfriends in a restaurant decorated with a thousand twinkle lights, happy Christmas music playing in my living room while I create.....I have learned that if I take the time to enjoy the little things, like sit back with a cup of delicious hot tea, and just breathe, everything seems easier. The urgent matters don't really seem as important as I thought, I still get everything mostly done, and I enjoy the process so much more. I have been a very go, go, go person, most of my life, and recently have had to change. For me, life is just sweeter because of it, and I am very grateful.....grateful for all the little things, grateful for this time in my life, grateful to just live. My dear friend Gloria gave me this lovely mug as a Christmas present, and I am in heaven right now.....I breathe in the sweet aroma of the tea, and when I am done drinking every drop, I look forward to waking up in the morning and doing it all over again :)

Yay!!! Proudly presenting this original Christmas song just for you!

Here is "Christmas So Far Away"......

• Christmas So Far Away

Christmas So Far Away on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Yep....that's me singing to a Christmas song that Ryan wrote!!!....Ryan's Dad and friend Bob Lee (blues band) are on rhythm guitars, with friend Cory (1220 band) playing the solo....Ryan wrote the music and lyrics, and played everything else.

You can download the MP3 here :)

Pure Goodness!!!

AND....one of the sweetest girls I know gave me this.....

Thanks, Nely!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? - Next to me
2. Your hair? - Dark for now
3. Your Mother? - Beautiful, patient, and loving
4. Your Father? - The most understanding person I know
5. Your favorite food? - Steak, 1,000 Island dressing, and Hershey Candy Cane Kisses
6. Your dream last night? - Colorful
7. Your favorite drink? - Mulled Apple Cider, and Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea (It's a tie)
8. Your dream / goal? - To live a happy full life with Ryan
   
9. What room are you in? - Living room
10. Your hobby? - Scrapbooking, Photography, Singing, Exercise
11. Your fear? - Not having my own home
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? - Enjoying life with Ryan, 2 kids, working from home, and visiting my family in WA LOTS!!!
13. Where were you last night? - With Ryan's family in Temecula :)
14. Something you aren't? - Fast
15. Muffins? - Oatmeal....yummy!!!
16. Wish list item? - Kenner Road Kit
17. Where did you grow up? - Sequim, WA (it's sooo green!!!)
18. Last thing you did? - Make barrettes
19. What are you wearing? - Really soft cotton
20. Your TV? - Watching "Angel of Death" (Zoe Bell ROCKS!!!)
21. Your pets? - A red and white basenji named Gatsby
22. Friends? - They are all so wonderful!!!
23. Your life? - Full
24. Your mood? - Peaceful
25. Missing someone? - I miss my family in WA and Utah everyday...
26. Vehicle? - Charcoal Grey Ford F-150
27. Something your not wearing? - Shoes
28. Your favorite store? - I love Dick Blick!
29. Your favorite color? - Green
30. The last time you laughed? - Last night to the "Penguins of Madagascar Christmas Caper" :)
31. The last time you cried? - From a dream a couple nights ago
32. Your best friend? - Ryan....but I also consider my girlfriends my family, so I guess they are all kind of the best of friends!
33. One place that I go to over and over? - Target
34. Facebook? - No...Thinking about Twitter, though....
35. Favorite place to eat? - It depends on what kind of food I want....my favorite pizza is "Oggies"....love the crust!!!

OK....so, I'm not tagging any of the following blogs....I just think they will be really inspiring for YOU right now:

1. Elsie (has some really fun gift ideas and DIY Projects for the holidays)
2. Mibo (has print at home projects that are adorable)
3. How About Orange (has lots of simple, fun holiday projects to try)
4. Skunkboy Creatures (a really cute Etsy shop....and check out her blog HERE....there is a really fun photo shoot HERE )
5. Red Velvet Art (some of the best handmade gifts)

Enjoy!!!

"Elsie Inspired" Layout for The Pink Ninjas!!!

The Pink Ninjas have done it again! I think this has to be my favorite challenge yet.....you totally have to love any layout that is inspired by the amazing Elsie!!! You can check them all out HERE, on The Pink Ninja Blog. Each layout has its own special "Elsie like" charm.....

Here is what I came up with:





I almost immediately decided to use this photo of my sister, Sarah. We were on a hike, out in the middle of nowhere, in the beautiful state of WA, chatting, laughing, exploring.....and my sister's boyfriend decided her beanie needed some embellishment. He then proceeded to stick leaves, and flowers into the backside, making her the cutest headdress!!! Of course, I had to take a photo, and now it has found its home.....on a layout that holds a fond memory of an adventure with my sister :)

It took forever, but I sewed ALL the buttons on this layout. I was inspired by a layout from the Love, Elsie Recipe Box , called "Dreamer".....the buttons are layered with Prima pebbles and flowers, and I cut the little pink trim out of paper. This was such a fun project to do!!! I highly recommend finding your "Inner Elsie", and playing along with this challenge!

Happy Christmas Cards!

I love how happy my Christmas Cards are this year!!! I used my favorite Christmas paper by Cosmo Cricket:





I also am really loving the pink and white plaid tape I used.....it was perfect for these cards! I layered it with a sheer pink ribbon, and sewed it all together. Since I was limited with the amount of paper I had purchased for this project, each card is two 4x4 inch pieces sewn together...it adds just a little bit of that warmth to all the bright color ;)



Yesterday I was so inspired by all the gorgeous decorations at my beautiful friend, Jane's, home! She had a wonderful Christmas party, and everything was perfect! Thank you so much, Jane!!! You truly are beautiful inside and out!

Happy Birthday Elena!!!

My lovely friend Elena, celebrated her birthday last night. I made this barrette for her birthday present:



I used a vintage broach, glimmer misted some Prima flowers purple (her favorite color), and added a bit of gold, with Hambly transparency and a gold leaf. Also, made the little origami box to match :)



We had a really great time chatting, dancing, laughing!!! Elena has been going through a lot lately, and she seemed very peaceful and happy.....Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!!!!!

Hair Accessory Swap Photos!!!

Everyone did an amazing job with making their hair accessories for the Swap I hosted at Pink Pineapple Scrapbooks, back in November.....some headbands, barrettes, and a hair comb.....I love them all!!!



Each participant received two of these homemade boxes (they are perfect for a small gift). Plus, I showed them how to fold paper to make the little origami boxes. We had a lot of fun!



I also wanted to participate in the Best of 2009 Challenge (It's really important to me to remember great times in life):

"Best Trip"


Washington State to visit family....a picture of me and my Grandpa....Heaven :)

"Best Restaurant Moment"


I wouldn't say it's necessarily the best, but definitely memorable.....I was at a restaurant and found out that some of my scrapbooking was highlighted on the Sassafras Lass Blog.....Gloria took a photo of the moment.....I LOVE Sassafras, so I am still really excited about it!!!