For me, Christmas is all about Family.  Celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Coming together, spreading cheer, giving love, and feeling peace.

I’ve spent days making handmade gifts for my family and friends.  This year I want to give a piece of myself to my loved ones.  Something handmade, with love.

Although I have purchased gifts for my kids, I’m trying to give them the gift of time.  My time.

Time usually spend during the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  Instead I am making time for cookie baking and gingerbread house decorating.  Time for Christmas Carol singing and bundled up drives to look at Christmas lights.

Which leaves very little time for blogging - sorry about that.

I hope that you are able to take the time this Christmas to keep the season bright by spending time with your loved ones creating memories that you (and they) will treasure always.

I had fun Creating this Christmas Layout with my Graphic 45 Paper stash.

Last year my baby brother, Seth enjoyed his First Christmas with his beautiful new wife, Kristin.  I’ve thought about sticking this layout in a shadowbox and giving it to Seth and Krisitn for Christmas this year.  Should I?

Here’s a couple more close-ups:

I had a blast today hanging out with the ladies at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for their Holiday Gift Workshop. It was so nice to spend time with good friends while creating fabulous handmade Christmas gifts.  Hanging out with the “Sistas” feels like being surrounded by family, I love those gals!  I am blessed to have such talented friends, they constantly inspire me.

Thank you Karen and Deb for making me feel like a “Sista”!

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is having their Annual Gift Workshop this Saturday.

I’ve designed these little Vintage-Style tags for a mini class at the workshop.  I’m super-excited to be participating in the workshop, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is my home away from home!

If you live in the area, stop by PSB.  There will be all kinds of handmade gift classes at low-low prices!

I’m hoping to get quite a few projects finished up this weekend (more blog fodder, YAY)!

Here’s to a productive weekend!

XOXO, Christie

I went to a much needed crop last night.  I was able to hang out with my gal pals and finish some projects that I’ve been meaning to do for a few weeks now.  Sometimes life gets in the way.

I did finish a few of these mini Christmas Notebooks:

Last weekend while my Mom was in town, she helped me finish these tags for a Vintage Christmas Tag and Charm Swap.  Mom totally kicked patootie (and save mine) while she was here.

I finished a few Christmas Layouts that I’ll share soon (I haven’t photographed them yet).  Have a wonderful day!

Love, Christie

For some reason this year it’s been tough for me to start feeling the Christmas Spirit.

Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I’m ready.  I’m not only prepared but I’m excited to bring out the Christmas Decorations.  Mid-way through November I’ve already thought about the projects I want to do with the kids, the baking, the shopping, the special memory making activities…this year…blah.  Not really sure why.  I’ve desperately wanted to feel excited, motivated, moved.  But I’ve been dragging my feet until…

Tuesday night my Mom showed up on my doorstep with Pizza in hand.  A few minutes later my kids hear a “Ho Ho Ho” outside our front door.  Another “Ho Ho Ho” and they’re so excited that they’re literally running to the door.

Standing on my front porch holding a huge red bag was my Dad.

The bag looked like this:

Except it had our name on it:

The kids were over-joyed and begun pulling presents out the the Santa Bag.  First, they opened new Christmas Pajamas and immediately changed into them.  Then, they opened Christmas Ornaments for the tree, a Gingerbread House kit, Sprinkles for Christmas cookies, Candy Canes, Advent Calendars, Games, Hot Cocoa, and a Search and Find Christmas Book.

How could I not feel the Christmas Spirit after this.  My parents generosity kicked me right out of my funk and helped me feel the spirit of the season.  I am so blessed.

My parents had thoughtfully planned this pre-Christmas suprise party to help my family feel the Christmas Spirit.  And it worked.

I am so very grateful for my parents thoughtfulness.  I am now ready to take the Christmas Spirit I received and pay it forward.

Time for Christmas Crafting!

I used the “Fa La La” Line from Making Memories and whipped up this little diddy.  It’s a 3×3 inch mini Christmas Advent Calender.

Specifically, it was this sheet of the “Fa La La” paper that inspired me:

I turned it into this:

Each day has it’s own numbered pocket with individual tags (I left the tags blank for personal sentiments).

I have to give a special shout out to my Mom for all her late night help getting things ready for my ESTY shop.  I sure appreciate all you do for me Mom!  Love you!

For those of you who want to see what my Mom and I have been working on Click HERE.

Do you want your blog featured and receive hundreds of lovely comments AND receive a $200 gift card? I know I do!

Check out the SECRET IN THE SAUCE they’re having a mind blowing day full of giveaways tomorrow!

I’ll be giving away a little something special on the SITS site tomorrow too!  Be sure to come back tomorrow to check it out!

This is the second year in a row that my kids have made Chipboard Gingerbread Houses. It’s no secret that I have a thing for scrapbooking.  My children can often be found with their little fingers in my supplies.  This is one of the rare occasions they actually had permission.

My husband and I have a good behavior reward system for our children.  The Marble Jar.  It’s been done before…OK, I stole the idea from my daughter’s third grade teacher but it works!  My kids love the Marble Jar.  The kids choose something fun to do (in this case it was the Gingerbread Houses) and then work together to fill up the jar.  It usually takes a week of doing things like, remembering to put their dishes in the sink after a meal, keeping their rooms clean, being polite, respectful and helpful. You know, the good stuff.

Last year, Parker and Izabelle had so much fun creating their Gingerbread houses that it was an obvious choice for a Marble Jar Treat.

This year we just plain had a blast.  The Gingerbread houses have officially become a tradition.

Here’s a look at Parker’s House:

Here’s Izabelle’s House:

Parker and Izabelle are neighbors:

So sweet.  I’m liking this tradition.

A project I made for the Graphic 45 Blog…Instructions on how to make this ornament will be posted HERE soon.

Also…keep an eye out on the Graphic 45 blog this month & next…they will be featuring projects from all of us on their design team.  Today’s project is by Heather Mellstrome, check it out HERE.

This weekend is packed full of projects & fun.

I’ve been working on these little charms for a swap I’m doing:

Here’s a close up (I threw in a sharpie pen to give you an idea of how small these charms are…they’re about the size of a nickle).

I’m also taking this class today at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique:

To top it all off, I get to see this with my friend Laura tonight:

YAY!  What a fantastic Saturday!