Here is a fun “Getting to know you” Christmas questionnaire. My sister sent this to me so I thought I would share it with all of you. I am making a few ornaments that I will share with you tomorrow. They are easy and fun to make. Oh and this is for my friend Patti…. you will be happy to know it will be 80 degrees here in Frisco tomorrow! It was only 7 degrees at her place last night. Talk about put another log on the fire.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper… Terri and Ansley are not trustworthy for gift bags!
2. Real tree or artificial? We have an Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Every year is different. Ours is going up this weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down? If you look in the Winter Issue of Scrapbooking and Beyond you will discover that last year it was MARCH!
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but my Dad’s is my favorite.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? When I was around 4 or 5 I got a Baby Etchn Sketch Doll (the name is something like that) I loved that doll and wish I could find one.
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No
8. Hardest person to buy for? My DAD! Sorry Dad but it is true.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Ansley
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Honestly, I have never received a gift I didn’t like.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, I feel some things should be done the “old fashioned” way and mailing Christmas Cards is one of them.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December and yes I tell myself every year that I am not going to wait until December to start shopping and here I sit once again with not a gift purchased.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Never
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Mom’s Peanut Butter Fudge and my Chewy Chocolate Chip cookies and Pecan Sandies
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Every year has always been white but this year Ansley has talked me into C7 colored lights like they have on the trees in Hollister, one of her favorite stores.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Holy Night is my absolute favorite and it doesn’t matter who sings it.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Have traveled every year but I’m trying to talk my Mom and Dad into coming up here this year!
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Well of course I can.. you know my Dad is Santa don’t you?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, I have a really cool vintage glass topper that the girls cannot stand but I LOVE!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When the girls were little we opened one on Christmas eve and the rest Christmas morning, now we celebrate on Christmas Eve. I love the room dark with just the glow from our tree and a few years ago it actually snowed here on Christmas Eve. It was the most magical Christmas ever and one I will never forget.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Rude people just don’t get this at all. I understand we are all stressed but being rude certainly doesn’t make it any better.
23. What is the “silliest” family tradition you do, or miss doing? We don’t have one that is really silly but I do usually have one of the girls on some sort of crazy treasure hunt to find their gift. Not sure who my victim will be this year.
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I think the long thinly cut silver tinsel that was supposed to drape down from the trees branches to look like icicles
25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? I love both
26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar Cookies to me, Gingerbread is for Houses
27. Do you like Fruitcake? NO

Sunday I was invited to take a soldering class at Aunt Aunie’s Beads. Heather Ales who is also a Maya Road design team member got a group of people together for a special Sunday class and man was it fun. Soldering is so easy. I had pictured it to be this really complicated technique but nope it isn’t. If you ever have the chance to take a class near you do it… oh the endless creative possibilities this craft opens up for you. There are so many neat things you can create. Here are the 4 little 1 x 1 inch charms I made…. remember, this is my first time to solder. Hopefully, you will see an improvement on my next attempt.

I’m also working on some neat projects that are VERY FOOF!!! I mean so Foof that Teresa McFayden’s eyes might pop out of her head. Gosh, I hope she sees the humor in that last sentence and knows I am a great fan of her work. Anyway, I’m altering a Maya Road Secret Box and Secret Album and a Maya Road Triangle Banner Coaster Album using some Philadelphia Uppercase Alphabet letters as an accent.

I thought I would update my blog tonight since I will be going to play with this sweet little boy tomorrow morning. Gosh I love me some Noah time. He is so darn cute… just look at this face.

His Mommy Caroline and Auntie Deb are at full throttle right now. So while his Mommy works we get to play. Those of you that will be attending CHA are going to love all the projects that will be displayed in the booth… LOADS and LOADS and LOADS of eye candy. If you stop by make sure to say hi! Here is part of the CHA-S catalog if you want to take a look at some of the great stuff coming out. Caroline and Deb are adding items daily.

Now for sneak peek #4… this is the new 3 x 3 accordion album. I LOVE this size and this little project can be completed in an evening. Which is pretty good for me, I can’t remember when I finished one that fast. The scallop frame, royalty crown and microchip hearts are also being released at CHA-S. The paper line is “Beloved” by Danelle Johnson. I love the pink and black combination and can’t seem to get enough of this paper. The photos inside the album are of my sweet, adorable little niece Isabella Kate. I get to see her Aug. 2 and believe me I am counting the days.

Images removed for publication. This project will be in the Dec/Jan 2008 issue of Paper Trends.
Oh and the quote inside is the cutest! My niece Madelyn (4 yrs. old) now known as the “Big Sister” of the house (never mind that Amanda “THE BIG SISTER” will turn 16 in just a few days) said this the day Isabella Kate came home.

Madelyn was holding Isabella Kate for the first time and Isabella Kate’s bow fell out. Well Madelyn says to her Daddy… “Daddy put her bow back in… she can’t be a Princess without her bow.” I think this is the cutest quote ever and will use it on many more projects I’m sure.

I tell you I think we are going to wash away here in Texas. I cannot get over the amount of rain we are getting this summer. Yesterday we were lucky and didn’t get a drop so lots of fireworks were going off here in Frisco.

I want to share a new venture my friend Wendy Rago has started…. it’s a kit club called Bad Girls Kits. Her first kit “Vintage Summer” is already sold out! Still available is a really cute project kit called Beach Beauty and two add on kits called Sunset Love and Angel Baby. Also, if you are interested in trying out for her design team you have from now until July 31st to send in your application. Please help me wish Wendy all the best. Join the Bad Girls message board and say Hi… being a little bit bad is always fun.

I am still working on CHA projects and cannot wait to show you every single one. I cannot stop thinking of things to create with all of Maya Road’s new releases… there are 90! Oh it is so fun begin a Maya Roadie! If you are going to CHA please stop by and say hi. I would love to be able to put a face with all those that e-mail me. I can help you with a make-n-take and give you a tour of the booth too!

Oh I love the Fresh line… the colors are so bright and cheery. Here is a layout I did of Ansley. I just love her freckles and pink cheeks in this photo. Nothing like having some summer fun.

I just finished one of my Maya Road projects for CHA using the suitcase and binder (older product). I still need to journal but will do this later. I want to get started on some of their new albums. I will post the suitcase once I take some photos.