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

Here is my thank you note to Martha Stewart. I really love her craft line and had lots of fun using all her products. I created this accordion thank you note using her scalloped note cards, seam binding ribbons, pattern papers, binder hole punch, chipboard letters and dimensional flower stickers. Each end is an unsealed envelope. I placed my hand written note in one end and some additional photos of her products on the shelves in Michaels on the opposite end.

I love the 18 x 18 sheets of paper… there are so many ways to use them. I bought three of the designs to make my paper doll dresses and to use as the background. The scalloped note cards are very nice. The weight and quality are exceptional. I will certainly have a set on hand at all times. I LOVE the binder punch. This is one handy punch. There is no way you can not line up the holes. It is wonderful. The seam binding ribbon is my favorite. I love the texture and airy feel they all have and the colors are incredible. These too will be a staple in my scraproom.

Here are photos of the front and back when it is closed.

I had three layouts and eight cards picked by Scrapbooking & Beyond and Paper Creations. I’m pretty happy about that. Now I just need to finish typing up all my product lists as well as instructions. I’m just about finished but YIKES… I never realize just how much I put on my projects until I start listing everything used.

Hope your day is a good one.

which means I can show you some layouts I created for ScrapGal. This months theme is confess. Below are a few things I have to confess. But first if you can, you really need to read the ScrapGal newsletter. Dina did a fabulous job putting it together. You will love all the layouts the designers created. As well as the button article Celeste Smith wrote…. lots of ideas for buttons.

Image removed for publication. You will be able to see this in the Spring 2008 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond.

Journaling reads:

I wish I could honestly say this photo was taken December 1^st but I must confess it was not, it was taken March 1^st. Yep, that’s right MARCH 1^ST! Every year, I tell myself I’m taking our Christmas tree down before the middle of January but when the time arrives… I just can’t make myself do it. I won’t start taking it down until I have no other choice and when the temperatures warm up and the scent of spring fills the air, I feel the need. If I could only figure out a way to hide our tree all decorated and out of the way I would. Oh how wonderful it would be to have it hidden. Then as soon as the holidays begin pull it out, plug it in and let the Christmas cheer begin.

Journaling reads:

I have clutched you tightly in my hands for over 20 years. You have been with me at every job, on every road trip, after the birth of each daughter and every other monumental moment in my life. There is nothing more pleasing to the ear on a hot summer day than to hear the pop of your top and the fizz of you being poured into a tall ice filled glass. But I must confess at times there have been others… Sprite Zero, Diet Dr. Pepper and Pepsi One. But I always come back to you as you are my one true love…. There’s just one Diet Coke and you’re the one for me.

Scrap Scene has some cute Easter Projects listed and I’m so happy Angie has my Eater Cards listed. Angie updates a lot so you may need to scroll down a bit. She also has the Bliss Purse Album by Mou Saha. She is the guest designer this month for Cocoa Daisy. I tell you Mou is one talented lady. I just love all her work. Speaking of love… I love the Scalloped-Edged Mini Egg book Erin Lincoln created. It is just too cute.

Also, my Easter Mini Album and Altered Mason Jars are now in publication. My mini album is in the April Scrapbook Trends and my Altered Mason Jars are in the April/May Paper Trends. The Blossoms II Chipboard pieces by Maya Road fit perfectly on the lid. They are really fun to make and take no time at all. Well gotta go and finish typing up my supply lists and instructions for some layouts. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday.

Here are a few cards I created yesterday. For some reason I love creating templates. Kinda strange but I really do like it. The velvet ric rac and blossom trim are by Maya Road. I LOVE all their velvet ribbons they are just fabulous to work with.

Images removed for publication. These cards will be in the Spring 2008 issue of Paper Creations. 

Yesterday, I completed one of the two layouts for Scrapbooking & Beyond and will start the second one today. Then I have to type up all the instructions and material lists as well as include some templates that I created. I really do not like doing this part of the deal but I love seeing my creations in the magazines so I just have to take the good with the bad. I am also working on a little creation for my niece Madelyn. I will have it completed today and will show you tomorrow. It is so cute… can’t wait to share.

Wishing you all a happy day.

I created this layout for a challenge on ScrapGal. Talk about lots of fun. The challenge I decided to do is “Savor the creative process” so if you want to participate just grab your favorite drink, turn on your favorite TV show, movie or music, grab some paper and start creating. Try not to have any idea of what you want to create… just create. This is what I ended up creating.

The cute little chick on top of the roof is by Maya Road. I created the fence along the side of the house using their new Tapestry chipboard. The possibilities are endless with these.

I’m off to start two assignments for Scrapbooking & Beyond. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Will post again soon hopefully telling you all I was picked to be on a jury Monday. Keep your fingers crossed.