One Little Word

For the past few years I've been choosing one little word to live by, instead of choosing a few resolutions that I'd soon forget about.

I first heard of this from some fellow scrappy friends who follow Ali Edwards blog.  Please click here to read Ali's post on her blog.  Since last week I've been trying to find a word that really speaks to me.  I really love Grow, Believe and Create but the one word that has stuck with me is Faith.

There are many reasons this word speaks to me. One of the biggest reasons is still personal, but I also want to renew my faith in God.  I want to remember to have faith in myself, my abilities and in my family.

I've decided to follow Liz's idea and create a banner to hang in my craft room.  That way anytime I'm feeling a little low, all I need to do is walk in my room and focus on believing. :)

What word have you chosen?  I'd love to hear about it!

My first crochet project!

For Christmas I asked my hubs to buy me a beginner's book to learn how crochet.  He bought me this one from Joann's and it was really easy to understand! I did have a slight advantage because a friend of mine taught me a few things when we had a girl's night (woohoo margaritas!) but the descriptions are easy to understand and it's a great deal because you get 6 hooks to start out with.

I decided a scarf would be the best option to start out with and after grabbing some worsted yarn at Hobby Lobby I sat down and finished this in just one day.  I think it turned out pretty good for being my first project!  My neice's birthday is in February and I'm hoping she'll like it too. :)

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We were lucky enough to have a white Christmas and my son loved playing in the snow on Christmas Eve. :)  A few of our family members were able to make it down to see us as well and it was so good to be able to spend the holiday with family and friends.  

I wanted our son to give his grandparents something cute and while reading My Pink Stamper I saw a video of her using Glitter It to make sparkly ornaments and thought it would be perfect for P to do!  Just click her name and it will take you to her tutorial.  It really is super easy!!

I wasn't able to find Glitter It at Hobby Lobby so I called them to order it over the phone.  Their customer service was very helpful (and patient...hey, there were lots of colors of glitter to choose from!) and within a few days I had a UPS box in my hand.

I ordered Kelly Green and Silver Hologram from Signature Crafts along with the Glitter It and honestly, the pictures do not do it justice. They're very bright and so pretty! I also used Pixie Stix Strawberry glitter.  

I kept these simple but next year I plan on being more elaborate. 

Peachy Keen Stamp Challenge

Over at the Peachy Keen Stamp  blog they're having an embossing challenge.  Sadly, I do not have any Peachy Keen stamps (they're on my list!) but I am busy making my final Christmas cards.  I saw a card similar to this in CTMH's Winter Idea book last year and I thought it was very cute to try!

I didn't have a matching green to heat emboss the trees with so I used clear embossing powder.

Products used:  

Patterned paper, ink and stamp -  CTMH

Bling - Queen & Co.
Cardstock - DCWV
Twine

Gift card holder that I was making in my Jeep yesterday. :)  Sadly, I forgot to take a picture when I wrapped a ribbon around the top but I assure you, it was very cute! (yes, you read correctly, I was working in my Jeep! It totally slipped my mind to make the holder a head of time and yesterday was the last day to give my son's teachers their gifts.)

These are so simple to make and really will only take you about 5 minutes!  

To make:  cut a piece of cardstock to 4"x7".  Score at 1 1/4" and 4 1/4".  cut paper choice at 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" and 3 3/4" x 1".  Adhere paper and any embellishments you'd like and then tie a ribbon around the top portion to keep the flap closed!  Really, it's that easy! :)  I used a glue dot to keep the gift card in place. 

Patterned paper and cardstock from close to my heart. 

Season's Greetings!  It's one week away from Christmas and I am STILL making my cards! I've sent out many of them and I'm down to the last of my list but I'm feeling the pressure to get them finished and in the mail.  (As I should be, hmm? haha)

Here's one that I did this morning.  I love snowmen! :)

The important stuff:
Gypsy Wanderings - Snowman
Queen and co. - Bling
PP - My Mind's Eye
cardstock - Hobby Lobby & D
Ink - Doodlebug Design
Punch - Fiskers
Twine - purchased on Etsy  (super cheap and received a ton!  Leave a comment with information if you'd like her store!)
Sizzix dots embossing folder

Handmade Christmas gifts/cards

The weather has finally (finally!) cooled down here and I'm itching to make some Christmas gifts and put up our decorations!  I usually wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put everything up but this year I'm really feeling the spirit early. :)

I haven't been scrapping much lately, but I have been able to make a few Christmas cards and two sets of DIY coasters.  Making your own coasters is so easy!  I used scrapping booking paper for these, but I plan on making a few with a cute stamp as well. (seriously, just do a Google search and you'll find tons of tutorials that show how easy!)

I took this picture last night so it's not the greatest but you can get the gist of it. :)

All you need to do this is:

4x4 tiles from any home improvement store --I bought these for 16 cents a piece!
scrapbooking paper --1sheet will finish 9 tiles
Mod Podge -- can be found at Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, etc.  Use a coupon!
Acrylic Sealer
Foam brush
Felt pads or cork board for backing

I'm trying to finish enough cards that I won't have to buy any this year, and I'm on a pretty good role so far. Here's a few I've done!