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

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