Just Make Stuff

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A sticky little hostess gift...

Just Make Stuff Blog...Holiday Hostess Gift

Last year, before we went off to a couple holiday celebrations, I tried to come up with a useful little hostess gift since often every house is pretty good and stuffed with sugary treats by Christmas day.

It took me a little while to come up with another idea this year, but when I ran out of tape right before the holiday it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to help replenish the tape supply that surely gets depleted for everyone after lots of holiday wrapping. I simply used the insert in the tape dispenser as a template to make patterned paper covers for the tape.

Just Make Stuff Blog...Holiday Hostess Gift

All that was left to do was make up some tags with a cheesy saying and wrap up each little set.

Just Make Stuff Blog...Holiday Hostess Gift

Just Make Stuff Blog...Holiday Hostess Gift Just Make Stuff Blog...Holiday Hostess Gift

Here is the tag I used at Christmas...Download Holly Hostess Tag. But now that the holidays are over I figured another design might be more useful... Download Chevron Hostess Tag. After all, a cute little supply of tape can come in handy year round.

January 01, 2013 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Sending merry thoughts...

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Hope your day is filled with everything you wished for this Christmas. 

December 24, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Still wrapping...

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December 20, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Just keep wrapping...

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I know I am not the only one this week who is decorating one package after another. Sean has a secret snowman at work, Mac has a secret Santa on the cheer squad and there are a bunch of other little gifts to get ready too... 

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Just Make Stuff Blog

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I love wrapping gifts a little too much.

December 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Snowball Toss...

We have been so lucky to get to have lots of 12 Days of Christmas fun so far. We have baked cookies, painted ornaments, purchased toys to donate and played a little game we came up with...

Just Make Stuff Blog...Snowball Toss Game

Considering we live a snow deprived existence here in Southern California, Sean really liked the idea of an indoor snowball fight with homemade yarn pompoms. As I went to gather supplies at the craft store last week I decided that my stack of coupons would instead be used on a few packs of time saving pre-made pom poms and a tin can to try to toss them into. Instead of a snowball fight, call it snowball toss and we've got ourselves a game. It was actually pretty challenging, but Mac and Sean were able to get several of the dozen snowballs into the can. I got all of one. I'll have to practice for a rematch.

December 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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12 Days of Christmas

Just Make Stuff Blog...12 Days of Christmas

It started tonight...12 days of family activities to celebrate the holiday season. We will tear into these each day to see what the plan will be...

Just Make Stuff Blog...12 Days of Christmas

There are also some extra supplies all wrapped up to go along with a few of the days...

Just Make Stuff Blog...12 Days of Christmas

As you can see, I had no fun whatsoever putting this all together. I really loved it when we did this back in 2010 and can't wait for another dozen nights of fun. 

December 13, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (7)

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Christmas crafting...

Cards went out in the mail this afternoon. Both Sean and Mac have Secret Santa's to surprise with little gifts. I am planning 12 days of Christmas activities. Treats for teachers need to be made for Mac's last day of school on Friday. And gifts are being wrapped...

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I really love this time of year.

December 11, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Scrapbook Tree

Just Make Stuff Blog...Scrapbook Tree

I mentioned the extra tree I just needed to have a couple weeks ago, but never shared it fully decorated. That's because I just finished it this past Friday. I decided in the absence of extra ornaments (although I did have the felt garland we made) I would turn the tree into a scrapbook of Christmas past... 

Just Make Stuff Blog...Scrapbook Tree

Just Make Stuff Blog...Scrapbook Tree

I gathered a holiday photo from almost all of the fifteen years we've been a family, printed out a copy of each, punched some holes in the top and tied some twine. Super easy...or at least it was after I found all the photos.

Then a couple yards of some sweater-like fabric that I discovered on super sale was piled under as a tree skirt...

Just Make Stuff Blog...Scrapbook Tree

It was a bit of a challenge to come up with a way to easily decorate a tree, but it was fun to dig into old photos and create something that fits perfectly in our family room. 

Just Make Stuff Blog...Scrapbook Tree

December 09, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (5)

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Making it merry...

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This year our holiday mantle is as simple as can be. The mismatched letters from the craft store got a coat of unifying red paint. I tried to put other things with them, but for some reason I liked them standing alone. I guess it's all the merry we need.

This weekend includes our neighborhood's annual holiday progressive dinner. Lots of cooking and cleaning will be taking place around here to get our house ready to host the main course. Then Sunday will be Christmas card assembly day. Hopefully I will have our stack of cards ready to drop off at the post office on Monday.

Hope your weekend is full of holiday fun too!

December 07, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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How to shove gifts into a box...

Just Make Stuff Blog

Are you mailing Christmas gifts to Iowa and Oklahoma? Did you challenge yourself to try to get useful, thoughtful, and fun gifts for numerous people that all fit into a flat rate box because $11.35 seems like more than plenty to spend on shipping? 

Well, that has been what I have been trying to do...and today I finally figured out a way to help make it happen. 

Just Make Stuff Blog

Wrap gifts in fabric bags. They won't get torn/scratched/wrinkled the way paper might when you are trying to squeeze everything in. It also really helps when you are trying to figure out how the heck to wrap a Bananagrams game for your seven year old sister. 

Now off to the post office in the morning...

December 05, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Playing pretend...

Just Make Stuff Blog...Free Print

Sometimes I like to imagine I am a graphic designer...usually when I am making party invitations or a house project. I actually have little to no clue what I am doing, but it sure is fun to try. That's why when I needed a little something to hang up for the holidays I tried to make it myself. 

And in case you think I'm a decent enough pretend graphic designer I thought I could share the PDF... Download Joy Love Peace Tree. Sean was pretty insistent that, since it was a tree, it needed a trunk so I tried making another version with one... Download Joy Love Peace Tree with Trunk. 

I am a way better imaginary graphic designer than he is though.

December 02, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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I just had to...

Just Make Stuff Blog...December Daily-ish

Just Make Stuff Blog...December Daily-ish

Just Make Stuff Blog...December Daily-ish

There's going to be a little December documenting around here this year.

November 27, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

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Are you as excited as I am?

Pretty much the entire weekend was spent decorating, getting wrapped gifts under the tree, finishing up some tags for class (it's still not too late to join), taking advantage of the sales, and plotting several new holiday crafts. 

When it comes to making stuff, it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

November 25, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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A world record...

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Christmas decorations have never lasted as long as New Years Day around here...and they rarely get packed away uneventfully. Yesterday they were all tucked back in their storage boxes with no stress...I guess it was my first step in lightening up. 

January 02, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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He totally beat me...

Mac's thank you cards were all moustache stamped and written by yesterday morning and I still have to write all of mine...

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December 28, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Cleaning up...

Hope you had a fantastic holiday. Around here today we'll be cleaning up and organizing all the new gifts we were lucky enough to receive. And speaking of cleaning, I thought I'd share the random little hostess gift we gave at the celebrations we were invited to over the holiday... 

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I figured that it's pretty common to end up with tons of candy and other goodies from all the festivities, so instead of bringing more I used peppermint castile soap to make up some small bottles of "Candy Cane Counter Spray". Told you it was a random gift, but hopefully it comes in handy in tackling all the wonderful holiday messiness.

December 26, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (5)

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From our house to yours...

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Sending many wishes for a holiday filled with happiness. 

December 24, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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This may be it...

I love this stack of cards...just as I have loved the stack of cards in, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

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However, this year's stack has me thinking that it might be the last. Fairly detailed, homemade cards almost put me over the edge this year. I figured out what I wanted to do in mid-November, but there was no time to really work on them until this past weekend. Just like the rest of the holidays, I want to get to enjoy the productivity instead of it being a major stress.

I discovered the other important aspect as I joyfully opened each envelope that we were lucky enough to receive this holiday. I really love the photo cards...I love the seeing our friends and families photos hanging together in our dining room and it helped me realize our little photos are tucked away hiding inside. Next year I'm thinking it will be the the first Griffin Family photo card...with at least one or maybe two homemade details. After all, it just has to be as cute as possible.

I figured if this year I could handle sixteen less strings of lights around the house or not being one of the hosts for our neighborhood holiday progressive dinner for the first time in seven years, then in 2012 I can figure out a couple more holiday simplifications. 

Okay, too much talk not enough cards.

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Is it possible that ideas like, "Hey, let's make our own striped trees out of tiny strips of cardstock" was part of what eventually sent me into a panic? It just looked so cute on that one card...surely it would work out for just over fifty of them. 

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Thanks for listening to my dose of reality along with this year's cards...no matter how crazy they may have seemed this time around it is always super fun to mail off a happy stack of envelopes.

December 23, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Getting started...

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The December (nowhere near) Daily is underway.

December 21, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Paper Bags 2.0...

A couple of years ago I joked that I was going to wrap everything in a paper bag from then on. 

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After putting these together I am re-convinced that it's the best idea ever.

December 20, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (9)

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A little something for everyone...

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Packages of my favorite holiday tea to give as little gifts for school directors, my graduate assistant supervisor, Mac's tutor and a bunch of other people we are lucky to have help us throughout the year.

December 14, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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'Tis the Season...

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For teacher holiday gifts. 

December 13, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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One more...

One more paper to finish.
One more week of school for Mac.
One more box of gifts to ship.

I finally feel like I might be getting somewhere. As long as I don't think of the pile of Christmas cards waiting to be made or the papers that I'll be grading later this week that are being turned in online tonight by a couple hundred students.

One thing at a time.

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To keep going with the kraft wrapping I used these bags to wrap gift cards. 

December 11, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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There was a time...

Where I would be on top of almost every holiday detail. The ornament for Sean's secret snowman at work would have been hanging on the tree in the teacher's lounge on the first day, like it has in year's past.

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And this year it will be hung on the very last day they were told to have it up by. 

December 08, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (7)

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Two by two...

This year's first Christmas tags were made in double batches...

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December 01, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (14)

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This is the year...

Every year our Christmas tree is full of gifts wrapped in numerous patterns. I have discussed my love of holiday wrapping paper (actually all wrapping paper in general), but I've also mentioned that one year I want to wrap everything in kraft paper. Last Christmas Sean gave me a gigantic roll as a gift, so this is officially the year...

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I finally spent a little time this morning making tags (I am so way behind where I have been in the past) and I have to say I love having the blank canvas.

November 30, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (13)

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Have you heard from me?

I figured since I will be practically strapped to my desk working on finishing up the semester over the next couple of weeks I might as well deck it out with Christmas lights... 

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This weekend was full of many things, including catching up on the e-mails I was frighteningly behind on. I'm pretty sure I started every single one with some variation of, "Sorry that you haven't heard from me sooner". It's kind of the same way here on the blog...sorry you haven't heard too much from me, but I'm back now just in time for all the holiday excitement to start...

November 27, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Merry Christmas...

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We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. 

December 24, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Around here...

We started the 2010 cook-a-thon...I finished one last holiday craft...and we broke open the annual gingerbread house kit...

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Now I'm heading into here to rest up for all the festivities...

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December 23, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Ten on Tuesday...

1. Mac said last week he couldn't wait for Christmas to get here...I tried to explain to him that the wait is the greatest part of the holidays. All the anticipation and activity...this really is the best week of the whole year.

2. Speaking of activity the main one from this point one will be cooking...one of the things we're making is peppermint fudge sundaes for dessert on Christmas night. It'll be the first time making my mom's mud pie fudge sauce...here's the recipe I have from when I gathered a bunch of family recipes a couple of years ago to make a cookbook for my brother and sister...

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3. I think I'm going to have a couple of questions to ask her. 

4. I started working on my organizer for 2011...first task was updating all the monthly calendars. (you can download the other pages I've made here)

5. I made a PDF file in case you need new month pages too (you can trim them down to fit into a mini binder)  Download 2011 Calendar

6. Between our Christmas card and now the calendar I am officially obsessed with the Marketing Script font.

7. We made the same snack mix as we made last year to give as gifts for the volunteers at Mac's karate class all packaged it up in brown paper bags...

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8. I wrote #1-7 on Monday night. At that point I had no clue that the power would go out on our street at 2am and be out for 14.5 hours. A blown transformer was repaired at 6:30pm.

9. I spent a good part of the day staring aimlessly around the house and mentally adding up the dollars in our freezers. Thankfully every one of them was spared. Not even an ice cube melted a single drop.

10. I have never appreciated electricity as much as I do right now.

December 21, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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12 days strategy...

During the last week of school I very carefully chose our 12 days activities so they didn't take too much time on our last busy school nights...stop at Starbucks on the way home from karate class...hang one more string of lights in Mac's room...or cut snowflakes.

Now that we're all on break we have time to get to the extra fun stuff. Try a new recipe yesterday and holiday crafts today.  Yesterday we made chocolate mousse cakes...

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And today we camped out in the dining room with a good friend of ours and crafted for hours...we tried to make star ornaments, but our wire wasn't thick enough to bend properly...we stitched little embroidery hoop ornaments...and we made snowman canvases.

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Chocolate and crafts pretty much made for the best weekend ever.

December 19, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (8)

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A few good details...

I really attempted to keep our cards simple this year. Of course "simple" kind of turned into "Well, they have to have embossed backgrounds." Beyond that I reminded myself that every detail eventually had to be done 50 times..so just pick a few good ones...

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I think my favorite part might have been using name tags as address labels...loved the bright red on the green envelopes.

But what I loved the very most was sending them on their way to our friends and family.

December 20, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Pantone 348...

It seems I am always into a new color and this Christmas it's definitely a deep kelly green...kind of like Pantone 348. Granted I don't really know anything about Pantones, but it certainly sounds official.

So I used this green for our Christmas cards...which I'll share in a few days since they'll go out in the mail tomorrow. However, I do have some thank you gifts to share. We made hot chocolate mix earlier in the week and put it into jars for Mac's school directors and his tutors. When it came time to wrap them I ended up using just green...

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Of course Pantone 348 isn't looking so hot in these photos since it was a really cloudy day around here.

To make something to cover the lid I used a 2.5 inch circle punch with some cardstock and a wreath stamp. How cute would this look with some patterned paper?  

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That is when I'm done being infatuated with Pantone 348.

December 15, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Ten on Tuesday...

1. Saturday night was the 7th annual holiday progressive dinner in our neighborhood. We hosted the main course house and made penne with braised short ribs and a bacon ranch salad with sourdough croutons. 

2. This means we broke out the "salad furniture"...a.k.a. the massive wood salad bowl that has it's own stand. My father-in-law insisted I needed it as a Christmas gift years ago. Have to admit at first I wasn't convinced, but he just might have been right. 

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3. Especially considering I'm obsessed with making my own salad dressing and croutons.

4. Another thing I'm obsessed with is using 3M tape as dimensional adhesive...so much so that I have gone through an industrial sized roll (from the hardware store) in a matter of months...so now I'm onto my next one...

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 5.  Teacher gifts were finished today...

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6. I was kind of cheesy with a dish washing theme....dish soap, towel and a crocheted dishcloth.

7. I made the tag into a PDF in case you'd like to be cheesy too.  Download Lots of dishes tag

8. After I printed these tags not just one, but both of our printers stopped working properly. 

9. And it's not like I still have Christmas cards to finish and address...which completely requires a printer.

10. But on the bright side, the very bright side, I'm completely done with school and have 41 glorious days off.

December 14, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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The 12 days...

I mentioned last week that I was making Twelve Days of Christmas plans for when Mac got home from his cruise. As of tonight he is safe and sound and full of stories. Starting tomorrow we'll have a little family activity to do everyday through the 24th...

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They're all tucked inside little sewn pouches to open each day...can't wait to have some holiday fun. 

December 12, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (7)

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The carrot...

I mentioned earlier this week about the schoolwork getting in the way of December fun. So I set myself a goal to be done with all the article reading and writing by Sunday.

It worked. Scissors, tape, tags and a lot of cheery patterns were the carrot I dangled in front of my face as I finished summarizing the last articles. I told myself when I was done I could wrap Christmas gifts. 

The best part was piling them under the tree...

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December 05, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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I had this dream...

Our Christmas was really wonderful...it went by all too quickly though.

In the weeks leading up to the holidays I had dreamed of video taping the little bits of happiness and combining them with a new favorite song...my in-laws got us a camera we had really wanted...and I had been planning (and saving) for a good long while to shock the heck out of Sean with a new laptop he needed...but not just any laptop.

So tonight I sat down with 78 minutes of poorly taped footage (I need to learn to continuously focus on people's faces) and put my very first iMovie together.

I cannot tell you how much I loved sitting back when this was finished and seeing a summary of our day...all the little details saved. Like Mac wearing the technicolored jacket he proudly came home in from the Christmas celebration at his dad's house. In addition to being so visually pleasing it has headphones built in...which he insisted on advertising by leaving the explanatory stickers on the jacket all day long. Love seeing his face as he opens gifts...and really loved that he is getting old enough to enjoy the holiday in a much more patient manner...not rushing through and then crashing when it's over.

We are super lucky though that at the same time that we get to enjoy Mac's budding maturity we get to be a part of our nephew and niece's holiday excitement. Whether it was dragging a gift off to ask for it to be opened or carefully tearing off each piece of wrapping paper and putting it in the trash, they were just so much fun to watch.

I also included, towards the end of the video, a brief display of my ability to give looks that can kill...avert your eyes if you don't want to risk bodily harm. :) Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a chastising look from your mom...

Now it's time to enjoy the after Christmas haze of new gifts, a fridge full of leftovers and some downtime together...I'm extra grateful that on this late Sunday night we still have a week off ahead of us.

Tomorrow it's time to share thank you notes...

December 27, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (15)

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Last minute...

Sean and Mac have been cleaning the house while I finish a few last minute items. We have three hours until the festivities start (and three side dishes to get made for the dinner we're hosting tomorrow night).

There's some jars of hot chocolate mix to give as a hostess thank you's tonight and tomorrow...

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And I couldn't resist trying to make this snack to give too. It is officially a new holiday favorite...

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Hopefully tonight I'll be back with a family photo...the Christmas tree, the tripod, a camera timer and us...wish me luck.

December 24, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Still at it...

You'd think if I started shopping in August and wrapping in October that I might be done by now?

Not quite.

But being not quite done has it's benefits...it leaves me time to figure out a way to use paper I'd been hoarding.

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I can wrap the gift in kraft paper and then wrap just a strip of the very favorite paper around the gift...until my complete lack of spatial skills keeps me from comprehending there was no way that strip will get all the way around the box. Then the pinking shears and masking tape come out in an attempt at looking like I meant to wrap it that way. Stamp an office tag (I'm in love with the little deer stamp), adhere it to a Hambly transparency and tie some yarn.

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This definitely competing with the favorite gift I wrapped.

So I used the leftovers to wrap another gift...

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December 24, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Photoshoot...

I said I'd share our Christmas cards today and there's about 17 minutes left in "today" so here I am.

Really when you think about it, this is ridiculous...it seems like I've taken more photos of these darn cards than I have taken of Mac this year. I guess I was just so excited they were done and tonight I'm too tired to decide on a few photos so you're getting all the inane details...

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All these details seemed like a great idea when I was making one card. 56? Not so much...

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I won't tell you how many attempts the photo collage took...however it is much easier to put together the photos that we happen to get throughout the year than to subject some poor soul to trying to get one good shot for the Christmas card...

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Oh did I mention these were handmade? Just in case you forgot...
 
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And the reason this card included pink was because I really wanted to use hot pink envelopes. It was fun to carry these bright teetering piles into the post office...
 
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Had to make matching labels...oh and my mom got a card this year...I'm usually a really bad daughter and forget her...

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And one more stamp on the back...

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December 21, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (25)

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Christmas House Tour 2009...

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Hi, welcome to my house. I took photos of it all decked out for the holidays so that I could give you a little tour.

Here's the cabinet in the entryway...it's kind of a mish-mash of decorations...a couple of framed Saturday Evening Post covers, a canvas I made a few years ago, and a few other bits of Christmas...

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My snowman collection on top of the bookcases in the living room...

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The dining room...all the cards we've received are hanging in the window...by now though that collection has tripled...on the dining room table is the wonky advent log my mom asked my dad to make when I was about six years old, a total holiday treasure...

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Other holiday treasures include some decorations that were my Grandma's...

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Moving on into the family room... 

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Some holiday photos from over the years...and my Grandma's ceramic tree...

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My village...

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Finally here's the mantle...it includes many of the same decorations I used last year, and the the wreath I made this year...

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So that's about it...thanks for stopping by.

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Tomorrow I'm sharing this year's Christmas cards...

December 20, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (12)

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I will now wrap everything in paper bags...

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Sandwich bags and big brown grocery bags. The grocery bag really saved the day because I had something to wrap for Mac that was a very awkward shape...I just folded a 12x12 piece of patterned cardstock in half for the top, punched some holes, and tied some ribbon.

Sandwich bags have been great for the final gift for Mac's school Kris Kringle (a gift card, snowman mug, and homemade hot chocolate mix with holiday shaped marshmallows) or packaging up more homemade candy to give.

Oh and I made the little photo collage and forgot to add one bag...

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I think this one is my favorite with the inked a doily on the top. I usually really love gift giving in boxes so I can indulge my endless wrapping paper addiction...but the bag may be winning me over.

And speaking of bags the fabric one goes to...

Lauren Wood said...
You are so inspiring! So cute!!!
December 17, 2009 at 01:18 PM

Lauren please e-mail me.

Tomorrow I'm sharing the most favorite gift I've wrapped all season...

December 18, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Wreaths...

Last year it was pompom garland...this year I have been entranced by the thoughts of yarn wreaths...

I made one for over my mantle (still need to take a photo) and one for my craft room...

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I wrapped thick white yarn all around a smooth styrofoam wreath. Then used six colors of leftover yarn I have. The star I hung in the middle is actually a gift wrapping tie-on from Target.

Although mine is super simple there are great wreath ideas out there...look here, here, here, here and here too.

Don't forget the little tag giveaway in the post below (I'll do a random drawing Friday morning) and there are still a few tag sets available that I would love to mail out to your house :)

December 08, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Holiday gift happiness...

Usually piles around the house drive me crazy, but not this pile tucked on top of an armoire in our guest bedroom. As of this morning I took all the tags from my class and got them attached to the gifts we'll be giving this year. (Remember that I keep post-it notes attached so I don't forget what wrapped gift is for each person)...

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It was fun to get out the ribbons and yarns and decide who get what tag... 

Tags 11-22-09

There are also tag making supplies in my Etsy shop now...in the next couple of weeks I have plans to work on even more.

I did save one bag of bits and pieces to give away here...please just leave a comment if you would like it sent to your house.

Oh and one question...if you were hypothetically thinking of buying gift tags at this point...would you want to purchase a kit with supplies to make your own or would you rather purchase sets that are already made? Just trying to get a sense of it so I can plan accordingly...thanks.
 

November 22, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (47)

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Pretty soon...

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We're finishing up the tag class kits tonight (not a moment too soon) and it has me thinking that I need to get Christmas cards figured out next. Thankfully that project will seem small in comparison.

Speaking of Christmas cards...here's the planner page I use to keep track of them...and here's a "notes" page too...

Download Christmas Card Addresses

Download Notes

Back to kitting...

November 19, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Gift Tag Class...

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Two weeks from tonight I will be teaching another holiday tag class at the Scrapbook Oasis...all the details are on their blog and you can reserve a spot in the class here (or purchase the kit if you can't make it that night)...you can also call the store at (949) 756-2729.

I will not be selling any tag kits in my Etsy shop until November 23rd and I will not be able to offer a kit anywhere near this large so if you would like it all (and the Catslife Press stamp too) it's best to purchase the kit through the store and they will be happy to ship it out to you.

I'm working on the kit right now and am very happy with how it's coming together so far...lots of fun holiday details.

Hope I will get to see you at the class in a couple of weeks! :)

November 06, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Ready...

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Now that I bought an obscene amount of wrapping paper I have all the Christmas wrapping supplies out, organized, and ready to go. (keep in mind that I have already shared how I have a shameful amount) 

A couple of years ago I invested in a few drawer boxes to store everything in. All of my holiday wrapping supplies stay organized from year to year and when they are not in use I just tape the drawers shut, cover them in a garbage bag, and store them in our attic.

So as I get started on wrapping some gifts I thought I'd share two more pages to help you keep your giving organized this year.

A list to brainstorm ideas for everyone...

Download Planner--Gift Ideas

And a place to keep track of what you give this year...

Download The Gifts We Gave

I still have some covers available if you need a place to keep all these lists together. 

November 02, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Important stuff...

November will be full...very, very full. Lots of double booking on the weekends, more schoolwork than I want to think about right now, a ton of crafting and preparations to teach a class in a few weeks and then there's all the fun stuff.

Speaking of that fun stuff I indulged in one of my addictions today...

Wrapping paper

Holiday wrapping paper (actually all wrapping paper is an addiction)

Between The Container Store (and my 20% off coupon) and Hallmark (which had a buy one roll get another for 99 cents deal) I was able to get way more than I needed. Oh am I ready to wrap now. :)

One of my other fun plans for November is keeping track of daily thankfulness since Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. I am cutting out leaves for a little tree project in our entry way and I have a goal of posting daily on here with the various things I am so thankful for. I foresee a lot of quick posts with iPhone photos, but I am eager to concentrate on the little things as I tackle the important stuff.

Therefore my So thankful #1 is having so many great things to look forward to this month.

November 01, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (5)

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