Happy Saturday, everyone! Hope this last Saturday before Christmas finds you all happy, healthy...and not TOO crazy!
We're having a fairly quiet day here...the girls had some friends over last night...one's still here...just some movies, games, and lots of cookies! Also made some yummy maple/oat/white chocolate chip pancakes this morning that were pretty tasty!
I haven't posted much this week--sorry! It's been pretty busy here...I know we're ALL busy right now, so it's okay! Family comes first, right?! My daughter came home from college on Wednesday, and we've just been having fun ever since! Here's a photo I shot of her at Buco de Beppo's where we stopped for a delicious Italian lunch after the airport on Wednesday:
I have just a couple of things to share with you today--I'm woefully behind on my Splitcoast challenges, but got caught up somehow yesterday! Here's my first--the challenge was simply to do a tag--don't know why it took me so long! Darlene was the host of this challenge--thanks, Darlene! Here's what I came up with:
The image is from Crafty Secrets' "Christmas" Images & Journal Notes booklet--I just LOVE this snowman! Added some twinkly stars and the "Make a Wish" sentiment from their "Lucky Wishes" stamp set. Love those retro stars!
Next, the challenge this week on the Craft Secrets' Forum at Splitcoast is hosted by Pammyjo--to use mostly white on our cards. This was a toughie for me--I like lots of color, so I fudged it a bit--sorry, Pammyjo!
I used PTI White cardstock for my base, and Crafty Secrets printed paper from the "Classics" pack (I think!), which I punched with a Martha Stewart punch along the edge...a paper doily, some white lace, Kraft satin ribbon (SU!)...
...the adorable snowman image is from CS' "Christmas" Creative Scraps, and the chipboard frame is from their "Sweetchips Mini Frames & More" set...some thick, chunky, snowy glitter, diamond glitter and MS "White Gold" glitter, "Antique Linen" distress ink, and some old pearly white buttons, and we're all done!
Oh! Almost forgot my new toy! Tim Holz' fabulous clear "Crackle Paint"--what fun to use! It has a brush built-in to the lid, which makes application SO easy! I used this on the snowman image...I used my heat gun to speed up the drying & crackling process, so no waiting needed! Can't wait to get some of the colored "Crackle Paint" and have some more fun!
A big thank-you to Elizabeth of Creative Breathing for the giveaway prize I just received yesterday! Oh, my! What a gorgeous creation! She made this wonderful Christmas Countdown calendar--mostly of felt--embeliished so beautifully, and all done by hand--here are a couple of photos--these were from her blog--my photos didn't turn out quite as well!
Just look at the beautiful detail...!
Thank-you, Elizabeth! I hung it up in my kitchen so fast! My girls just love it--me, too! Please visit Elizabeth and see all the other beautiful things she has to share on her lovely blog!
Just to close out the day, I found a couple of silly little photos from my Christmas past...
...not MY best photo, obviously! But, I do think it's rather hard to make a busy toddler hold still on Christmas morning, don't you think?! I love the tree, however...the sweet gifts, but especially my beautiful, young parents--what a perfect image! I still have that sweater my mom is holding--was made for me by my great-grandmother...
Here's me a couple of years later in line to meet Santa--remember those little mesh stockings with goodies inside? This was at a church Christmas party, and they'd done a little play with all the children being different toys in Santa's workshop, I believe. I was a little German doll...love the smirk on the sweet little "Indian" girl next to me!
Well, off to make some new Christmas memories with my family! We're still busily addressing Christmas cards, making cookies...have a pile of games on the table my girls want to play all together--oh, my! It IS the most wonderful time of the year!!!
Have a beautiful Christmas weekend with your families--don't miss a moment!
Oh, what a pretty tag and card! Love the crackle. I was going to buy some of that the other day. I don't know why I didn't, something else must have caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteThe countdown is beautiful! And I love the old photos!
How beautiful is your daughter. She looks a lot like her mom. Glad your enjoying having her home. Nothing better than your babies coming for a visit.
ReplyDeleteYour work is just beautiful. I love this snowman and how you made it even prettier.
After visiting so many creative bloggers I feel like I have done nothing this year for the holidays as all you have.
Thanks for sharing
Maggie
You inspire me. I love snowmen too.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter inherited your pretty smile. The snowman tag is precious. I love anything with pompoms. I was cracking up at the last vintage photo you posted. The "Indian" girl's expression is indeed hysterical. You have to love old photos. You look really cute in that photo. Love the blue barrett in your hair! And what was the child between Santa and the "Indian" supposed to be with the black eyes? I'm still laughing...:)
ReplyDeleteMaureen
I love that card and tag. You did a wonderful job. Your daughter is beautiful, and I always love the old photos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
Your daughter is sweet and beautiful. Love the card and tag you made. Such wonderful supplies to be found that I've never even heard of. Congrats on receiving the gift from Elizabeth's giveaway. She does make the most wonderful things. Enjoy holiday time with your family. Blessings :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beautiful paper creations as well as your family photos! :) Happy Holiday!
ReplyDeleteJulie, Love your vintage cards, they are so delightful, reminds me of a simpler time! Your daugher is Beautiful. Enjoy your precious time together. It slips by so fast! Your pancakes sound yummy too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post just chock filled with goodness Julie!! I just LOVE your snowman card with the buttons! I have a thing for buttons and pompoms and polka dots and anything vintage! (Probably part of the reason I love you so!) Loved the beautiful giveaway gift you won! How wonderful. This has been a lucky year for you! I also love the pictures. What a pretty girl you have and what a cutie you were when you were a youngun! Oh, and those pancakes sound positively scrumptious! Sounds like you are busy making lots of lovely Christmas memories! Love and hugs! xxoo
ReplyDeleteJulie love the cards, oh my those pics are GREAT and what a beautiful daughter. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Julie; your daughter is beautiful! Wishing you the best Hoildays together.
ReplyDeleteRita
Julie, I just love the tag and all the glitter. Your daughter is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have such a good time reading through your posts - it's great when all the children are home isn't it. Mine are a lot older so grown and flown and even produced a gorgeous grandson. All men in my life.
ReplyDeleteI just love your tags and the card is 'out of this world' utterly gorgeous - so touchy feely - I must try some of that TH paint - keep meaning too - but then wondered if it was worth it - sounds like it is!
There's so much wonderfulness in this post, Julie! First of all, yes, your daughter is beautiful and looks as sweet as can be! I love the white card! I am one of those people who love everything white and I think this card is breathtaking. It's okay that you fudged a little:) Your tag is adorable too! You know I love everything that Crafty Secrets does! Congratulations on winning Elizabeth's calendar. She is an inspiration to us all! Have a wonderful Sunday! Twyla
ReplyDeleteGirl, I tell you ... your blog postings just keep getting better & better! It's ALWAYS a wonderful adventure when I stop by your blog!!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is as beautiful as her MaMa and the family photos are priceless! Thanks so much for always making us feel like a part of your wonderful family!
Your tag and card are awesome ... yeah, what took you so long on that tag??? I figured you'd jump right on that challenge ... always need tags this time of the year!
Thanks for your friendship ... you are certainly a blessing to me!!! LOVE YA!! Merry Christmas to you & yours ... enjoy that family of yours ... we both know how quickly time goes by!
Looking forward to your next posting ... whenever the time permits!!
hi julie,
ReplyDeletewhat a fun post from start to finish! your crafty creations are adorable. gosh, i love the little snowman. how fun that your daughter is home. does she enjoy making things, too? congrats on your giveaway win.
happiest holidays!
xo
elyse
Love the tag and card you made. Beautiful! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGwen
Sounds like you are having fun with your family! Your daughter is lovely..
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! So happy for you..and I also love spending time with my older daughters too! You are so blessed to still have that sweater and the pic to boot! That is awesome! hugs, Jane :)
ReplyDeleteGreat projects! Love that snowman, he IS adorable! Enjoy your family time...pretty quiet around here, only one of three kids home for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteHi, Julie! So much inspiration over here!
ReplyDeleteI think that red snowman card was originally shared with me by Elizabeth but I tend to loose track! ♥
What a beautiful daughter!! And such Christmas cheer...all the snowmen are great. I love the window in the card!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas...this will probably be my last visit until 2010! :D