Still Christmas here :)

Since we moved 1,200 miles away this October, it was our first Christmas just "us". I was a little nervous about preparing all the stuffing, ham and everything else just by myself. But it turned out really well :) yay:)

My kids and their cousins were disappointed not to get to see each other at Christmas, so my parents and my sister's family all drove down here yesterday(!) 16 hour drive(!) The kids have already been having a ball. Pretty sure the next 10 days are going to be a blur~lol.  We'll be having a second Christmas on the 29th with all the cousins. So, while I normally take down our decorations before Tomio's winter break starts, but this year it looks like they will stay up till some time in January...

Okay....here's today's card.

I really like how this one turned out. I stamped them each without re-inking to get the shadowing images. I like how it adds depth.

Okay--that's it for me today. I'm going to be pretty busy today :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Smiles.

We went to the dentist today. I say "we", but Miss Emma was the one with an appointment. She had a nasty cavity :(, but she really did a great job. The dentist said most kids her age are too hysterical upset once they get a Novocaine shot that they can't even finish... Miss Emma did shed some tears, but she sat still and let the dentist finish.

So here is a picture of my little trouper :) I love that  impish little smile, it is so "Emma" lol.

I do have a card too :)

I really like how this one turned out. I *love* this stamp set--Larger than Life from Papertrey Ink. One of my absolute all time faves. The sentiment is from Wplus9.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Has your week started off well? Mine is actually going better than expected :)

new favorites :)

I shared a card the other day using some new stamps I had gotten from Taylored Expressions. Well, I'm really, really loving all the ones I got. (So much so that I actually made 2 more orders for Taylored Expressions stamps with my Christmas money) Today's card is another one using some of the stamps with matching dies.

Isn't that banner fun? Really easy to use with the diecuts. I also use a stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the sentiment. So quick and easy that way :) The flowers are ones from PTI's Larger Than Life set that you have seen me use, well, lots of times :)

Thanks for stopping by today! Just 2 more days till my Leah turns 11!!! I can't believe it. It seems she has decided she wants a cheesecake for her birthday this year, so  I guess that is what I'll be making tomorrow :)

Happy New Year!

I seriously still cannot believe that it is actually 2012....wow. Did you stay up to ring in the new year? We did :) And since Tomio's birthday is January 1st, we eat cake and have presents at midnight too. We even let all the kids (well, Miss Emma only made it till 9) stay up too. I was surprised that they actually did make it. They were glad though :)

I also started off the new year by making 3 cards. Now that is the beginnings of a good year if you ask me :)

This isn't one of them though-they have yet to be photographed. This is just one I made using a bunch of my favorites--wood grain, flowers, and the super fun pocket stamp and die from Wplus9 :) I love finding different things to put in the pockets.

Thanks for stopping by today!! I hope 2012 has started out great for you!

thinking of you

Here's just a quick thinking of you card I made.

I like how the wood grain looks when it is heat embossed. Usually it ends up a little more subtle and in the background, but this makes it stand out a little bit more :) And yes, I'm afraid I used the silhouette flowers from Larger than Life. I've had that cute little brad for ages, and I thought this was a fun way to use it.

Thanks for popping today!! I'm thinking it is time for some more Christmas-y cards now that it is actually December :) Are you ready for the weekend? I definitely am :)

still enjoying

school :) Previously, the boys would be thrilled when Leah went to golf tournaments, since I would give them the day off from school too. But now, with what Levi refers to as the "fun school", they actually are glad to do it even if Leah is gone. Let me tell you, night and day. Really. And not only are they enjoying it, I honestly feel like they are learning and remembering even better :) I am so thankful for the Lord leading us to this program.

So, how about a thank you card? I love these little sprig-y flower stamps. And I especially love how they look when stamped in gray. This was a very quick, simple card :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Can you believe that it is almost December?!?! Since we've had our Christmas decorations up for a while now, I'm ready for December :)

too long.

You know it has been too long since you last posted on your blog when Blogger makes you sign in again. oops. No excuses, just trying to get my priorities all straightened out. Kids, school, house, cooking, stamping... Definitely important to have some fun time on the list, just need to make sure it's in right place.]

Sorry, not the best photo. Didn't realize till now. Just another simple card using the gorgeous flower stamps and matching dies from Papertrey Ink. I might like these even better than the sunflower ones, and that is saying a lot! heehee :)

Hope you had a fun weekend! Ours was way too short. I needed at least another day and a half before Monday...not much chance of that I guess, right? too bad :)
Thanks for stopping by!!

I thought

it was just me, that thought the year was over once it hit September. But even Tomio said, "you know, it's almost Christmas now". I was like "I know!" We do put up our tree around the middle or beginning of November, though :) That's ok--I'm prepared. I just got several new Christmas stamp sets, so I'm ready :) While I *do* admit to making Christmas cards all year long, there's just something even more fun about making them during the actual season. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.

Ok... on to today's card. I used some of my stamps I mentioned last time on this card. I {love} them! And of course they are even better since they have coordinating dies. They are the Larger than Life stamps dies from Papertrey Ink. I debate about these for a long time, and I honestly have no idea why lol. They are really just the kind of stamp I like. And they are really easy to use :)

I hope you can tell in the photos, but in real life, I think it is so pretty :). Oh, and this is also my new favorite impression plate. It really is subtle, so you might not get the full affect in photos, but I just love it and have to stop myself from using it on every card.heehee :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! All my little ones are in bed, so I might be able to squeeze in a little more stamping time tonight :)