BUTTONS

I have been sooooooo very busy the past week getting ready for Christmas. I have been crocheting up a storm. I even designed my first crochet pattern. It is for a crochet headband (It will be featured sometime in the next week). I love it. I have received so many compliments on it. I am so proud of my first success. However, This new pattern yielded a need for BUTTONS.

BUTTONS can be costly. I know that you can pick them up at thrift stores and antique stores, but these places can be difficult to visit with an overly energetic two-year-old and a fourth-month-old in tow. So, I called my mommy. She has a button collection. She agreed to share. After sifting through the buttons she inherited from my grandmother, was gifted by my other grandmother, and picked up at various places along the way; she gave me this great collection.

I can't wait to use them. Not only are the great for what I already have started, but so many of these great little buttons have my mind spinning and thinking of new great ideas. I just can't wait!!!!

Christmas Card

Love Scarlet Christmas Card

Make a statement with personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Creative Christmas Portraits

I am so glad that we experimented with a new photographer this year. We have LOVED all of our photographers, but when I found out that my friend Chris Gomez was going to do family shoots I signed right up. Chris specializes in pin-up photography. He mainly shoots at events and by appointment. He has also done great work for some clothing companies and bands. This being said, family photography was a new adventure for him. I LOVELOVELOVE his style, so I knew that this would be great, and it was. He had an eye and a creative mind. My favorite idea is featured here in this post.

CATCHING SNOWFLAKES!!!!

What a great idea. I love stepping outside of the box. I just had to have him edit up at least one catching snowflake shot. The idea was so creative and intriguing. I think it is my absolute favorite shot. Of course I love the family photos, and the ones of just our boys, but this picture has an extra touch that can only be attributed to the talent of my long-time friend. So, I encourage you to do two things this holiday season when taking your christmas portraits.

1. Be creative and fun. Do something different.

2. Check out Chris's work by following this link.

Morning Blues

I woke up yesterday morning at 7am to my sons cry of "Potty mommy. Potty." Cold mornings are always difficult for me, but the serene blue color of my room chases those morning "blues" away. They relax me and make me feel all snuggly. This is especially helpful with the daunting tasks of crocheting, cooking, christmas crafting, and most importantly child rearing ahead of me for the day. Praise God!!! for the light shining in my room to warm my heart and prepare me for the day.

*****Each Thursday/Friday I enjoy participating in a Linky Party over at Eighteen25. I encourage you to come and play along******

Repurposing Christmas

Since funds are a bit tight this Christmas, but I have lofty ideas and dreams of a Christmas decor make over, I have found myself repurposing some of the things that I have had for several years. Here are my first two projects.

A CHRISTMAS WREATH

SUPPLIES:

Wreath form from real wreath 2 years ago

Well used Christmas tree garland

glittered poinsettias in red and green

green ribbon left over from Christmas sign project

DIRECTIONS:

1. Attach poinsettias to their form using the wired stems

(5 groups of red/green combo)

2. Wrap the Christmas tree garland around the form until desired fullness is obtained.

4. Finish off with a large bow created from a remnant piece of ribbon. I attached the bow with a twist tie.

VOILA! Repurposed wreath complete. Hang and enjoy.

Doesn't it frame the roly poly's face perfectly?

JAR DECORATION

I keep this jar decoration on the back splash of my counter; it breaks the kitchen from the den. 

SUPPLIES:

Glass jar (originally purchased for sister-in-laws baby shower)

red rocks (from last years Valentines)

Snowflake ribbon (off a package a few years back. It's been floating around)

Floating candles from Big Lots

Tray from Target clearance

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill jar with red rocks and replace lid

2. Wrap the ribbon around the lid of the jar and tie a bow

3. Place on tray and set up candles as desired

SO SIMPLE!!! 

Okay, so that is it for now. I am sure that I will be repurposing some other stuff soon.

SHUTTERFLY 50 free Photo Cards

I absolutely adore Shutterfly products. Whenever my family has a professional photo shoot I love to put together photobooks of these exceptional shots.

A great, miniature, mailable way to get the same effect and share it with your family for the holiday season are the new photo story cards. This is especially wonderful for those of you who already write a Christmas letter to your family each year. These new cards allow you to have the Christmas letter experience in a creative way, highlighting your MOST important events.

Finally, I LOVELOVELOVE that Shutterfly always has great deals and prices. For instance, this 50 free photo card deal for bloggers. What a wonderful way to save some money on your photocards, because if you're like me you need far more than 50. I was sooooo excited about this deal because I'd already created my card but was waiting for some finances to be available. God's time is wonderful, ALWAYS!!! The card above is the style that I've chosen this year. I adore that it fits so many photos. I promise to share mine later in the week.

Our card also comes in red and 5x7

In addition to all of these cute options for sending warm holiday wishes, they can also be your one stop place to shop. You could purchase a beautiful canvas for the grandparents or create a family calendar. Both would make delightful gifts.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to return to Shutterfly after the holidays to pick up some Thank You cards for those extra special gifts that you received.

Black Friday Love

Okay, so who doesn't love an amazing deal? I rarely pay full price for anything I purchase; I just CAN'T do it. I love having nice things, but I love great prices even more. This being said Black Friday is one of my favorite shopping days of the year, especially since I have had children. I store up extra cash for this day. In fact, it tends to complete my shopping for the Christmas season because I pick up gifts early on whenever a good deal arises.

With all this Black Friday love going around I have to say that Gymboree winter coats are my favorite deal every year. I think I picked up four last year. I arrived at Gymboree before anyone else was there (They opened 2 hours earlier than the year before and no one knew). It was so peaceful and quiet at 5am; I could hardly believe my luck. It was amazing to get the first pick of all of their cute designs, and we can all agree that they have adorable clothing. I think that this is my FAVORITE Black Friday story because it is so ironic. We ladies wake up and visit our favorite places expecting to be surrounded by chaos, yet the exact opposite happened for me last year. It was shopping bliss.

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