wrap it up

Although this year has been tough in many ways, I am feeling blessed and thankful.  And I'm enjoying these last days of December...

The decor will be taken down soon but the spirit of Christmas shall go on.

calendar and a cupcake

Not too exciting of a title but that is how I started this month which makes me happy.  I finished my advent calendar which focuses on the meaning behind items/symbols/activities that relate to Christmas.  My friend gave me a book which I used for teachable lessons and ideas for activities every day including Christmas.  I wrote down a lesson/activity on pretty scrapbook paper and placed each in an envelope.  Although the kids know they are not getting toys, they are still excited about opening the envelopes.

Well, there's still so much to do, gifts to shop for and parties to attend/throw.  Here's to more merry making!



merrymaking + little things that make me happy

The countdown 'til Christmas starts tomorrow!  In the past few years, I usually had an activity or little present that I attached a number tag to for the kids for each day (if it was an activity, I gave a symbol or token to suggest it).  Many times I did it on the fly, not having an advent calendar prepared; however, this year I am trying to be more organized so I am crafting one. 

There are a few good ideas on Pinterest.

I needed to purchase a few supplies at the store.  I had the intention of getting just what I needed, but as usual, decided to browse a little bit longer.... and I'm so glad I did!  I found Amy Tangerine's mini albums at 50 percent off... love them!

It's also a good day as I received happy mail from oh, hello friend.

The wooden tags are so lovely.  I am happy to start gifting!

lately

So I have not kept up with this blog as intended but no pressure... it's only for my crafty keepsake and merriment. 

If I'm not busy with current house projects, I try to spend time with M doing activities of her choice (E is usually out with his friends).  My little artist loves to draw and paint, usually flowers and ocean/beach theme, but she also likes to celebrate the season.

Since I've been busy lately to do any new craft projects, I will share my Thankful journal I made last year.

I can't believe this year is almost over.  In a blink of an eye, it'll be Christmas.  So I'd really like to spend the day tomorrow relaxing and enjoying time with my family, remembering our blessings and planning how we can help others more.  Lately, I have been consumed with my own/my family's needs when there are so many others in worse and difficult situations.  It can be overwhelming.  But all it takes is an act of kindness.  We have heard it before.  We need to remember and act on it.

Autumn Celebration

Being a Midwesterner, I do appreciate all the seasons of the year.  I especially love fall for the fashion; the beautiful color changes of the trees; pumpkin spice lattes; crisp, cool sunny days; apple picking and pumpkin patches.

During craft time with M, I made a garland to celebrate the season while she worked on making cards.

My inspiration for the garland came from Simple Stories Harvest Lane line (see the banner with the flowers in the last line of second photo below).



Such a cute line.  I'll be using it for my small autumn photo album I'm hoping to finish by the end of the month.

Be You - tiful

My kids transferred to a new school this year.   E looked forward to it but then found the first week to be difficult.  He adjusted and now he is doing fine.  M, on the other hand, was not excited to start but her first day/week was not so bad... she has a nice teacher and she made a friend.

(I kept her spelling of her words)

However, in the following weeks, she has been missing her old school and friends.  And she doesn't like after care.  I have spent countless hours talking with her.  To help boost her spirit, I came up with a mini sketchbook that she and I can share - our M&M book (her first initial and 'M' for 'mom').  She wanted capital letters so it wouldn't remind her of the candy lest she'll get hungry :)  It's for her to take to after care so she isn't bored.

She loves art.  Her idea is for us to draw pictures and the other person will color it.

M's drawing & my coloring

This has helped.  She still asks why this and why that when she's sad or upset.  I tell her sometimes we don't know the answers but instead of asking "why" all the time to focus on "be"... be present in the moment (and not worry too much), be thankful, be open, be willing... I pray she takes it to heart and that she won't feel like she's falling.  Instead, soon perhaps, she will soar.

Declutter and Organize

My goal for the next few weeks is to remake my house where I can have workable, clean spaces.  I have tried in the beginning of summer but failed.  Mounds of paper (newspaper, magazines, mail, etc.) just seem to reaccumulate after I have recycled plenty.  And half started craft projects are spread out on the floor, bed and table waiting to be completed.  But I am determined.  I wonder.... are there accountability groups for this kind of exercise?

My scrapbook/scrap paper pile is on top of the list of things I need to cut down on.



Since I haven't been scrapbooking as much recently, I am using some of the paper to make notebooks.  I use my Zutter Bind It All to put it together.

I incorporated to do/to shop lists as well as little envelopes.

These notebooks are perfect to have on hand, for trips whether out shopping or on vacation (to jot down notes or places visited, keeping mementos, scrapbooking photos), for the student starting school or as a little gift for the teacher.  One little way to keep organized ;)

South Carolina vacation mini book

Where I have been?!  Well.... summer happened.  Yes, pool days, vacation and just the lazy days of summer (when I haven't been working).  I haven't been taking as many pictures as I wanted to this summer, but I did manage to put together the ones from our vacation.  We went to Charleston and Myrtle Beach last month.  The weather was hot, but the trip was a nice balance of "see, do, eat and relax."  It was a great vacation where afterwards I didn't feel like I needed another to unwind.

I had started a tradition to take my family to 2 different states each year and then hopefully go international.  I believe my kids appreciate the experience and will be better for it.  However, it has been a little struggle for me in deciding how to document our trips.  I am so behind on scrapbooking and I wasn't sure if just adding the pictures in a yearly album would be good.  I considered the digital books like from Shutterfly but I really like to embellish with palpable material.  And at first, I didn't want to have a bunch of mini books; but I think now they are the best thing since each would be unique.  Well, enough of my rambling...

I chose Amy Tangerine's The Goods Mini Book for our recent trip:





This is only the first half I'm sharing.  I have yet to do more projects this weekend and have to reschedule M's cake decorating class.

Happy crafting, happy weekend!

finer with time

I celebrated turning 41 this month.  No big to do this time like last year; however, I looked forward to it as with every year.  My husband asks why I get excited turning another year older.  I look at it as a celebration of life God has given me and that fills me with joy.  Even though in the past 2 years I went through (and still going through) sad and difficult times, I appreciate the blessings I have and am encouraged by my faith and trust in Him.

So as part of celebrating my life, I decided to take a self portrait every month since the beginning of this year.  I was looking for photos to post and I realized that I have been taking more photos on my phone, less on my camera.  It's more convenient, plus I love Instagram and other photo apps!  (Check out Rhonna's fave photo apps and tips/tricks - awesome!)



Sweet treats on my birthday





Just enough for my two friends visiting and the kids.  The girl at the bakery suggested I buy a few more but I didn't want any leftovers... trying to cut back on the calories.  Although I really wanted to have this raspberry lemonade cupcake, but M and her friend picked them first.  I'll have to head back to the bakery soon to get one.



It reminds me of my felt strawberry lemonade cupcake I made last fall from Dear Lizzy's splendid workshop.



Happy first day of summer!