We Had A Wonderful (sort of) Christmas

The Christmas festivities started with a broken phone and mangled fingers. I thought "Oh Lord save me if this is how Christmas will be!". Luckily all went well after Friday night, the 19th.

I went to Ikea, and while taking out my wallet to pay for my ice cream, my phone went end over end about 8 feet into the air, flew over a barrier and smashed on the floor just out of reach. This all occurred in slow motion, the girls behind the counter gasping and covering their mouths, the guy behind me grunting and leaning over to track the phones progress and myself trying to jump, reach, kick and unseemly slide across the floor to get to my phone; to no avail. I have been without a phone since Friday December 19th and it's killing me, how did we live without them??? I had an even bigger shock when I got home. My husband was lying on the bed with his hands all bloody. If you are squeamish don't look.

W

He sliced his fingers on both hands! Yes it was quite deep and too much skin was removed so no stitches, just flushing twice a day and applying triple antibiotic ointment. I told him I had to take all his gifts back because he couldn't open them. He laughed. This Friday it will be two weeks and he can now bend them! Thank God! 

On Friday the 26th we went to Palm Springs to visit my beautiful cousin and aunt. They were in town from Oregon and Arizona, respectively. On Saturday we went to Idyllwild to play in the snow. We didn't find snow so instead we went on a hike and has a picnic.

What a beautiful view!!

No snow but perfect weather for hiking, in the 30's.

My youngest, Brian, contemplating life.

My older boys eating lunch. My son Matt bought himself that Elmer Fudd hat in town. He wears it all the time now, funny kid.

My cousin 

New Project

I love, love, love these!! I saw this on Pinterest & hot the itch. So easy. I asked a few people for old bulbs, brushed glue onto them (with a sponge), then sprinkled glitter on  them. I used an old egg carton to dry I them.

Finished light bulbs in my new glass bowl from Michaels.

Closer view.

Could I get closer?

I used Mod Podge with a sponge brush & put them in an upside down egg carton to dry.

For best results seal them so the glitter doesn't come off.

Christmas card five years ago. 

I stamped the images than watercolored them, using watercolor pencils. The stamps and paper are from Close to my Heart.

Christmas, Christmas and More Christmas

I have been Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, listening to Christmas music, and Christmas crafting every day for the last two weeks. Let's just say I overdosed on Christmas and call it quits. My wonderful cousin, Michelle, will be down from Oregon to celebrate the holidays with us, woohoo!

Today I spent several hours trying to find all of the recent photos I have taken but to no avail (don't you hate that?). So I snapped a few this afternoon.

Christmas cards:

An old card (5x7) but I still love this snowman stamp. 

This small card (3x4) is perfect for a gift card.

One of this year's Christmas cards (3x8). Santa is from the Cricut. 

Current Christmas card (3x8). I used the Cricut for the Elf.

Last year's card. I saw this stamp while perusing at Hobby Lobby & instantly knew what to do. Does this happen to anyone else?

Fast last minute card using an embossing plate.

For all of my Disney lovers. I used the Cricut to make Pluto.

Cricut again.

I love simple cards. This was made using a stamp and embossing powder, glitter and the Cricut for the Noel.

I sent this to my sister-in-law, as she has cats! 

Christmas mini album

This is a 6x6 mini album that holds up to 20 photos.

Page 1 and 2

Pages 1, 3 & 4

Pages 4, 5 &6

Pages 6 & 7

Pages 8 - 14

I have also made a gingerbread bunting I will post tomorrow.

Good night!

A Little R&R Today

I was up for most of the night & I'm sooo tired. We had as much rain last night as we have in the last couple of years, combined. I love the rain so I was up, along with my husband, Tim, & our oldest son. We were as excited as a 5 year old on Christmas morning, dorky I know but rain is a novelty to us in Southern California.

This morning I organized a new project - cutting felt with my cricut!! I will cut this afternoon after a much needed nap. 

I am starting with hearts then on to flowers. Cross your 

WREATHS:

Small 4th wreath

Easiest Summer wreath ever!!

Small Birthday wreath

Large Birthday wreath.

Christmas is almost here!

Today I decorated my house, phew!

My mantle with the chalk bottles I did.

Our place markers for Christmas breakfast. I painted small terracotta pots & decorated with a feather boa & gold buckle (cut with Cricut).

More flower pots. I have candy in one and a  decoration in the other.

Now back to decorating!

Christmas Cards

I have FINALLY downloaded my photos!!

Here are a few Christmas cards.

I love decorating with reindeer and nutcrackers.

I also like using nontraditional colors and patterns.

More pictures to follow.

A Successful Craft Fair

Today was fun, successful & educational. I am looking forward to attending more. I have taken photos of nearly all my projects & will post them later. Tomorrow is a cleaning day, as I have neglected that chore for a week while preparing for the fair.
I have attached a photo of my Halloween wreath.

Our First Craft Fair

I have been very busy making items for the craft fair: dozens of mini scrapbooks, bunting, garland, wreaths, cards, etc.
I am now using my phone to post so I am sorry if the pictures are not the best, or for any auto corrected words!

Table 2

I put my cards & mini albums here.

Table 1

I put my Santa flower pots, gingerbread bunting, chalk wine bottles, glitter bottle, garlands & a few cards & mini albums here.

Some cards

Close up of table one

This is a small terracotta pot I decorated.