I was recently contacted (by a really sweet woman) about a Christmas Advent Book that I made in 2008.  She asked if I could make her one.

I went digging through my massive stash of paper…and sure enough, I had some 2008 Making Memories in there. That must be why I always buy two of every sheet (sure…that’s the reason).

Here’s a few photos of the Christmas Advent rerun:

Merry Christmas…er…I mean…? What?

From our family to yours,

May your new year be filled with love, joy and blessings.

I’ve been busy crafting, shopping, wrapping, working, stitching, reading, loving, singing and tonight…a family tradition: Baking!

I wish I could share my holiday projects but I have family members who read my blog…so, I’ll only be sharing little “sneak peeks” here and there.

I hope you’re enjoying this wonderful time of year!

xoxo, Christie

I created this little “Joy” Garland for the Paradise Scrapbook Boutique Gift Workshop.

Although, now I wish that I would’ve put some glitter on the red “JOY” letters.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda. Right?

I used the New Bo Bunny St. Nick Collection.

I created something similar last Christmas using Graphic 45 and Making Memories.

I just love this new Bo Bunny paper and HAD to use it.

I think Karen at PSB might have a few more “Joy Garland” kits available.

If you’re interested Karen’s contact information is HERE.

If you do decided that you want a Joy Garland and there actually are some left…

Please, for the love of all things good, add some glitter to the red letters.

I promise, you won’t be sorry.

I love close-ups!

Here’s wishing you a very, very merry Christmas season.

Don’t forget about Blog, Bid, Hope.  There’s still a few more hours left…

As promised, here are some (tons of) photos of my Making Memories Christmas Album!

I absolutely LOVE all of the Making Memories product!

I love that all of Making Memories papers have matching embellishments. I’m definitely an embellishment girl (as I’m sure you can tell).

Would you like to peek inside?

I thought so.

Here’s page one and two…along with some photos of the little details:

Moving on…

Here’s page three and four:

I stamped a flourish on this page with green ink.  It didn’t show up very well so I covered it with glitter glue.  Accidents happen.  Even in scrapbooking.

Now…page five and six:

I like the soft look of these pages.  Here’s a peek at the details:

I always have a hard time with the last two pages of a mini album.  I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a subconscious thing…or maybe I’m just creatively spent?  I just don’t know why I struggle on the last pages but I do. I really, really do.

Here’s a look at page seven and eight:

I’m not sure if you can tell…the following photo shows paper with red glittered polka dots.  Fabulous! I loved red glittered polka dots!

Well ladies and gents - that’s all for now.  I hope you enjoyed taking a gander and my little Making Memories Christmas Mini Album.

Have a wonderful day!

Something different.  It’s been awhile…I haven’t picked up a needle and thread in quite some time…at least not when fabric was involved (I’ve done a lot of stitching on my scrapbooking layouts).

My mother taught me how to make a simple, cute fabric yo-yo.  She started me off on a new addiction (thanks ma).  I’ve made tons of these.  I can find all sorts of uses for them.  Maybe I’ll even use a yo-yo on a layouts…we’ll see.

I still haven’t strung this garland together but I wanted to get the photos up while I could still title the post “Christmas in July”.

So, you can kind of imagine how it will look strung together, right?

I used more of the new Christmas Past line by, Graphic 45.

Here are the photos a little larger:

This concludes my “Christmas in July” posts, however, I can not promise: “No more Christmas Projects way before Christmas.”

Ha ha.

Instead, I promise:  A lot more Christmas projects to come….way. before. Christmas.

I do have to prepare myself for the Idaho “Winter Weather” after all.

Since we’re in the middle of CHA Summer, it’s finally OK to share some of my new G45 Projects.

I used the new Christmas Past line to create this little garland.  My camera battery ran out and I had to use my Mom’s camera.  Please forgive the blurry photo.

When I get this garland back, I’ll be sure to take some close up photos and post the little details.

There’s a couple more days in July and I have more Christmas Past projects to share…check back soon for more Christmas in July - Graphic 45 style.

Here’s some of the project, food and family photos I should have blogged during the busy Christmas season but didn’t.  Better late than never, right?

I made the little circle box above with my beloved Graphic 45 paper.  I just cut, covered and used Mod Podge to seal it.  I added the little glittered flower with hot glue to top it off and then filled it with Chocolate from our local Sweet Shop.

Here’s another Layout I put in a shadow box as a Christmas Gift:

A closer look at the flowers:

My cousin Alyssa made this adorable teeny tiny little manger scene out of modeling clay:

I wish that I had better photos of the details…here’s a couple that turned out halfway decent:

The Wisemen

And here’s the Angel (My finger is in the photo, just so you can see how tiny these little figures are).

Izabelle and I made cinnamon rolls for our friends and neighbors this year.  We delivered them on Christmas Eve.  It was fun to do something different (we usually make cookies).

We left some of these delicious devils out for Santa.  He liked them.

Here’s a little peek at the kids on Christmas morning:

And of course, Marley, he was so happy with his enormous raw hide bone.

I think I am pretty much caught up now…I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and you have a fabulous New Year!

I feel so fortunate to have had such an amazing Christmas.  During a time when so many are struggling, my husband and I have been able to watch our children unwrap gifts under the tree, stuff our bellies with amazingly rich, calorie filled food and have a warm safe roof over our heads.  To not feel blessed would be very difficult indeed.

You may have noticed that I have not blogged much lately, I’ve been caught up in making memories with my family. So many memories for that matter, that I’m sure I could fill up several posts regaling all the details of my family’s happenings over the past couple of weeks.  I won’t take the time to do that now, although I do reserve the right to re-cap in some of my up-coming posts.

I’ve completed (and photographed most of) my Christmas projects, although it seems silly to post them now, I may share a few photos soon.

I’m working with a new computer and in the middle of transferring all my photos and files over from the old one.  It may take me a couple more days to ease back into regular posting.   I’m looking forward to catching up on your blogs too!  I promise to lavish all of you in comments soon.

I hope that all of you also enjoyed a blessed Christmas.

xoxo, Christie