Crafty Secret's Christmas and More Family Photos!

Good morning to you! I have a Crafty Secrets card to share with you using the new Christmas Mail set. I colored this sweet gal in with Copics, cut her out with Spellbinder's die, Beaded Ovals, and did a bit of airbrushing. I used Spellbinder's die, Beaded Ovals, again to cut out the green felt. I hand stitched the felt in purple to match the Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather papers. I added a white satin ribbon, and purple glittery snowflake, and a button.

I have a few family photos to share with you from Saturday. The cousins got together and decorated gingerbread houses, opened presents, and apparently pose with silly elf hats! Here is my girl after like picture number 98! But I finally got her eyes straight, head up, no tonsils showing! And what glorious blue eyes she has!...... SWOON!

I don't often post pics of the "big" kids, but I had to post my sister, Lisa here! I guess the adults wanted in on the fun too! : )

Oh! And did I mention the hat moves, lights up, and plays music? Here is my "big kid!" ; )

My nephew, Alex.........And believe me, you'd better be quick with the camera with this kid!

......Unlike his sister Katie, who will pose alllllll day long for you, if you want!

Kyle, helping Hannah with her gingerbread house! (He takes his "Big Cousin" roll very seriously!)

And my nephew, Nicholas, who is posing with his finished gingerbread house. (I think dad may have helped him just a bit!) ; )

And last, but not least, here is the entire crew together with Santa. Everyone looks great......except my girl, with her eyes closed. Which is why I was so excited about the first pic....cuz this is her norm! Oh! And just so you are clear......their shirts say, "Elves" not Elvis! LOL!

On top of all this fun on Saturday, Brian, myself and the kids went to my in-laws for dinner last night. I thought we were going there because my FIL's TV went out and Brian was going to "help" him "fix" it. But instead? They surprised our lil' family with a trip to Jamaica! I just about passed out! Who does that? PINCH ME!!! We are going in March.....which is just around the corner!!! YAY!!!!

Off to school, to bring more decorations.......let the Griswald Christmas decorating contest continue........pictures to come soon! : )

Have a great day!!!!

Holiday Wishes Treat Containers!

Good morning! I can't believe it is Friday already! It has been a busy, crazy week at my school. The kids have been practicing for their Christmas concert next week and the teachers have been having a "Grizwald" decorating contest. We have a little competition between the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers on who can decorate the most. My 5th grade cohorts and I cut, laminated, strung, and hung about 100 paper snowflakes in our hallway yesterday! I think I may have developed Carpal Tunnel. ; ) It's all in good fun and seriously our school, kids and teachers, feel like one big family. It is a wonderful place to work and learn.

I have been busy making gifts for teachers, bus drivers, and co-workers. Something small, not expensive, but something that took time and care to make. I had these test tubes from Halloween that were unused. I pondered whether or not they would be appropriate to use for Christmas. Sure! Why Not? Christmas and test tubes goes together like peanut butter and jelly...........right? OK, so maybe it was a stretch, but I think I made it work. ; ) (Or the teachers are gonna think I've really lost it.......we'll see!)

I used my Cricut Winter Frolic cartridge to cut the trees. Glitter was added to the trees. I used Echo Park paper, Papertrey paper, some Magic Scraps red twine, a jingle bell, and a sentiment from Papertrey Ink. The tag was cut using my Cricut Sentimentals cartridge. (I actually cut the tags in bulk and leave them in a bucket to grab whenever I need one quickly!) The test tube was covered with a piece of vellum to soften the look a bit.

I have a busy, busy weekend ahead of me! Lots to do! Hope your weekend is fabulous! Thanks so much for stopping on by! : )

Crafty Secrets and a Few Family Photos

Good morning to you! I have a Crafty Secrets card to share with you today that uses the new set, Angel Blessings. I colored the image with my Copic markers and added lots of glitter to their wings. I cut out the image and placed it on foam squares for dimension. I used Artsy Banners for the word, Joy, which was printed from my computer. I added a couple of pearls to the banner and tucked it under the angels. I layered various papers in my stash and added glitter to the edges. I tucked a doiley under all of it and some seam binding.

If you are here only for crafty reasons.....then feel free to click outta here! ; ) For my family and friends who enjoy coming here to see my little family every now and then feel free to stay a spell. I have just a couple of pictures from our little jaunt downtown this past Sunday. I kindly asked a stranger to take a family picture of us. Unfortunately, my girl has her eyes closed.....but at least there is a smile on her face! ( I probably should have taken her bib off too.........oh well!)

My little photographer, Kyle, took this one of Brian and I. Pretty good for a 13 year old!

And last but not least, a picture of Chicago's "Bean." It looked beautiful reflecting the city in front of it. : )

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!! Have a wonderful "hump" day! : )