A New Springtime

Jumpin' on the Traveler's Notebook Bandwagon!

I have never used these traveler's style notebooks before but i have been inspired by several Youtube videos about them. I saw that Michael's had a new line of product's out centered around them. I don't think you have to be a traveler of distant lands to use one of these. It is good to use as a keepsake of weekend or family events.

Ombre is very popular in the art world right now so I have been using my stamp pads to try my hand at the technique. There are stamp pads that are divided into three colors but you can create the same affect by taking three slightly different colors and inking a part of your stamp with each one.

 

Paper Pack Eye Candy

I was pretty excited to see these great $5 paper pads at Michael's. I have never been a fan of shiny gold foil but for some reason this year my taste has changed. maybe it is because it is mixed in with such pretty pastels and patterns.

Gold foil houndstooth a great is so elegant, it is a great combination here.

These posies are sprinkled with gold foil sprigs and are so sweet and delicate!

This picture really doesn't do any justice to this paper. It has a soft minty green back ground making it very fresh feeling.

Another one that was difficult to capture but I like the saying and the color is actually a pale aqua color! This is a great saying for the new year!

These are gold foil words. I think these scan be cut apart into strips and placed on a scrapbook page or in my journal! I can't wait to use them on a page for either one. I hope you enjoyed so these wonderful papers!

My Heidi Swapp Journal

My favorite Christmas gift was my Heidi Swapp journal! It was so awesome to get at this time of year because it allowed me to jot down my entire Christmas experience while it was still fresh in my head.

My son played with his favorite gifts, Matchbox cars while I "played" with my journal!

With the gift card I my husband got me for Christmas I went to Michael's and got...

this Heidi Swapp paper pack. I am really enjoying this color palette right now. I think is is very soothing and gives me a sense of peace.

These packages were on sale $3.33 ea. I thought they went well with my journal packet above.

I picked up this sweet lil' set for $5. So exciting a whopping 80% off! I am not sure what I will put in it yet but I will come up with something when the time is right.

This Heidi Swapp planner was the one I had really wanted before Christmas but I didn't get it. When I looked for it on the shelf it was no where to be found. I was a bit bummed but resigned to the fact that I got some other really great things. Then, oh my goodness, as I went into the back of the store clearance section, it was sitting there on the shelf!! I got so happy, I started praising the Lord and thanking Him for this gift! I felt like He had saved it just for me! And on top of that it was also 80% off!

This is the pretty journal I got on Christmas day and I am so thrilled with being able to write in it each day. It helps me appreciate who I am and focus on the good life I have been given.

I am so into these stickers as well right now, I love the simple handwriting style and the array of colors as well!

 

 

Our Christmas Day

These guys are waiting for some of their siblings to wake up!

The amaryllis was in full bloom showing it's trumpets for the triumphant day of Christmas! All the kids gather in the living room and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus! Next, they begin to pass out the goodies!

Ok they are all up and the little ones get straight to work!

She is surrounded by presents!

The sisters begin to open their gifts!

The whole family is excited to celebrate the gift of Jesus by giving special gifts of love to each other!

Christmas Cookies Fun

Pretty frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar + 1 Tbsp. milk + food coloring of choice.

Sugar cookie mix, easy to use and delicious!

Simple and easy to decorate!

We put foil on our area for easy clean up.

Malcie and I are getting into it!

Christmas Eve fun!

Big sister helps to clean up.

The Christmas cookies are all done!

A Catholic Christmas

 Ready and waiting to go to church on Christmas Eve!

All giddy and excited!

Christmas Selfie!

Our daughter is getting so tall and beautiful!

All of us after Mass!

Jesus Christ present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar at our beautiful Church.

An image of light!

The little ones around the manger scene!

 

Miracles Everywhere!

"The Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp arrived today!
A meditation from her blog...
Miracles happen whenever I look for shoots of Jesus' love everywhere because this grows deep roots in Jesus' love for everyone.

The miracle of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste are all around us. The very simple things we take for granted are the everyday miracles right under our noses. God has given us these great gifts and we can share them with each other. Reading a Christmas story, singing a carol or two...

can bring about joy and hope in each others lives!

 

 

Singing the Creator's Praises

I think that is exactly what this red and green Holly is doing, singing it's Creator's praises! The beauty captured in these leaves and berries exudes love for His Children. I am in awe when I gaze upon it's lushness and fruitfulness. Thank You Jesus for this tree that brings the season to life!

Jesse Tree, Simple Branches

Branches...

ornaments..
 

little helpers...

The Jesse Tree, a simple way to remember the way God prepared His people for His First coming, and a way to Prepare His people, us for His second coming!

These beautiful paper ornaments can be printed out at Ann Voskamp's blog, " A Holy Experience", If you purchase her book, " The Greatest Gift", there is a password to download them. The book is an Advent meditation and a reminder of Jesus as our greatest Gift.

More December Daily Pages

I have been playing around with glittery foam sheets that are actually stick and peel on the back. These mittens were very simple to do. I just drew them on the back of the foam and cut them out using simple red and white ribbon as trim.

The foam sheets are  easy to cut out and give some dimension and texture to an otherwise plain page.

The possibilities with the craft foam are endless. With just three different Christmas colors there are so many things to make...

You can get ideas for making things out of the craft foam from Christmas cards or tags that you see and embellish them with ribbon, baker's twine, pom poms or bling.