Snow Day

It's New Year's Eve! Do you have any special plans for tonight? We always lay low on New Year's. We're not crazy about crowds and I can't stay up past 10:00 p.m. anyway! I'm such an old lady! ;) How about you? Do you enjoy ringing in the new year?

For this last day of 2011, Bella Blvd. has a Saturday Sketches post. Maybe you have a little time to create something with their fabulous sketch and can take a peek at the awesome projects my teammates created?

Since we’re just beginning winter, I thought it would be fun to use the Bella Blvd. Winter Wonder collection and create something with these adorable snowmen!

These guys wouldn't last throughout the day at our house since it'll be in the 60s today! So far we're experiencing a mild winter, but it's just started and Tuesday is supposed to stay in the 30s. Yikes!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all have a safe and fun New Year's Eve!

Kathy :)

Eleven in 2011

Hi!

There are only a couple more days left in 2011 and then a whole new year begins!  I always find it fascinating to look back over the year through the memories and accomplishments we made. Equally amazing is to look forward to the new year and anticipate the possibilities it holds.

Today I thought it would be fun to share with you eleven favorite projects I created this year. Sound fun?

Thank you for being a part of my blog this year! I hope that I have made spending time here worthwhile and inspiring!

Well, I hope you enjoy whatever it is you have planned for these last couple days of the year!

Kathy :)

Free Downloads

Hi!

I hope you all have been having a wonderful holiday! I sure have! It's been lovely spending time with my boys and it's been lazy and relaxing! I barely came up to my office for two days! It felt so good to have a little break!

Today I'm going to try and ease back into things....slowly. Thought I'd start by leaving you a couple vintage downloads to play with when you get a chance.

Here's an image you can use for a New Year's card.

And since Valentine's Day is on its way, here's a cute image for your sweetheart!

So, will you be working this week? My husband and I are. Christopher has the week off to play with his new toys. I know some of our neighbors are on vacation for the week. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Enjoy these last days of 2011!

Kathy :)

December Daily

Hello!

It's Christmas Eve! The festivities are in full swing! Hope you all are having a merry time! I'm popping in to share a few pages of our December Daily and then it's off to bake our favorite sugar cookies. Must leave Santa fresh cookies, right? ;)

Our 10th and 11th of December is about giving...to the poor and to Christopher's teachers.

It's so important to give year round because there is so much need out there! And during the holidays it's time to give a little extra to help make every one's holiday special. We gave the Toys for Tots drive, at our local Whole Foods, a set of Melissa & Doug wood blocks. I figured every child should have building blocks!

Every year we thank Christopher's teachers for their dedication and hard work by giving them gift certificates to Target and sometimes Starbucks. We're sure they receive plenty of ornaments, candy and apple themed gifts and that they could really use some money!

On the 12th and 13th days of the month we featured our kitty Java and a snowflake handmade by Christopher!

It's been a tradition for many Christmases to unpack the reindeer antlers and plop them on one of our cats for a good chuckle. This year poor Java had the honors, but he doesn't look to thrilled about it does he?

I'm not the only one who gets to play with paper and craft up some fun during the holidays! Christopher made a snowflake at school that I folded up and placed in this tiny envelope.

I hope you are spending these holidays enjoying some baking, carols, crafting and family time! Enjoy!

Kathy :)

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Hi!

Today is the first day of winter! I hope you are enjoying December and all the festivities! I'm lovin' it! I have a girlfriend coming over in a bit to bake today...our third annual holiday bake off! The house is going to smell so good and we're going to be jacked up on sugar and coffee! Life is good! ;)

I must be dreaming of a white Christmas because I choose to use the Winter Wonder collection and adorable snowmen images for my Bella Blvd. cards today !

I love this color combo for winter projects, don't you?

I went crazy with snowflakes here...I think they're making this little snowman very happy!

These snow dudes are so festive with their colorful hats and I love the blue mittens!

They are wishing you a white and wonderful Christmas!

If you have a few moments, please hop over to the Bella Blvd. blog to see all the fabulous Cards on Thursday creations....love them!

I'll be back tomorrow to share some more of our December Daily. I'm trying to keep up! I managed to finish day 14 yesterday. I'm a little behind, but it's an improvement over last year!

Hope you have a wonderful first day of winter! The days will get longer and longer after today! :)

Kathy :)

Thanks

Hi!

Winter has just begun and I already have spring fever! What’s a girl to do? When I find myself dreaming of warm spring days, I like to break out a colorful collection of papers and accents, like Colorwheel from Doodlebug Designs, and craft up something fun! Doodlebug even has a Doodles Sketch up on their blog today to help inspire you!

Nothing says spring better than pretty posies and bright happy colors, right?

Oh and a glittery butterfly!

Add a lovely lime button, some bakers twine and a few rhinestones and you have yourself a happy little card!

It's a busy week with Christmas just days away, but if you'd like to take a break from the holiday rush or if you have a couple last minute holiday cards you need to whip up, come join us at Doodlebug for some crafty fun!

Kathy :)

Happy Birthday Stephanie!

Hi! If you are joining me for Stephanie's surprise birthday blog hop from Carina Lindholm's blog, you're on the right track! Welcome! And for those that are just joining the party, you will want to begin at the Bella Blvd. blog so you can start at the beginning and not miss a thing!

I just recently started working with Stephanie at Bella Blvd. and I've got to tell you that she's a real doll and very generous person so we all wanted to do something extra special for her birthday!

I made this card for Stephanie using her adorable Lovey collection and my favorite Card Sentiments Miniatures.

It's always fun to work with Stephanie's products because of the cheerful colors and patterns that coordinate so beautifully!

Even thought it's Stephanie's birthday, we have some gifts for a few of you lucky readers as well! We know how generous and giving Stephanie is, and we know she would never have a fun blog hop, without a few giveaways up for grabs too. So we got permission from Robin, who works alongside Stephanie in the office, to pick TEN lucky winners, who will each receive a Bella Blvd. collection. All you need to do to be entered in the random drawings, is to leave Stephanie your birthday wishes in the comment section. You have lots of opportunities to up your chances, since you can leave a comment on each blog you visit, as you go through the blog hop. There are 26 blogs, plus the Bella Blvd blog, for a total of 27 chances to get your name in the pot. We will randomly choose winners, from 10 randomly chosen blogs, and announce them on Friday!

I don't know about you, but I'm excited! I can't wait to see all the beautiful handmade cards everyone has created for Stephanie! Your next stop along this surprise birthday hop is with Stacey Michaud.

Thanks for joining the party and good luck in the drawings!

Kathy :)

December Daily - Days Eight & Nine

Hi!

I'm getting back on track with our December Daily after taking time to work on Christmas preparations and design team projects.

Here's our eighth and ninth days of December. On the eight I started working on our annual Christmas ornaments.

I've been using a lot of my favorite thin metal dies for our ornaments and December Daily.

Ahhh...hot chocolate! We drink a lot of cocoa during the holidays! With fresh made whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon! And we enjoy sipping it from these adorable cups a friend of mine gave us a few years ago.

Well, this is the last weekend before Christmas. What's on your agenda? Since I've got most of our Christmas preparations taken care of, I'm not venturing out into the hustle and bustle! I think I'll whip up a cup of hot cocoa and keep working on our December Daily! ;)

Hope you have a great weekend!

Kathy

Bella Buzz

Hey!

Have your heard the latest news? The Bella Buzz is out and there's a fabulous prize package to be won!

Just click to be directed to the Bella Blvd. blog, download your free newsletter and see how you can win! Good luck!

Kathy :)

Keep it Simple Sister

Hey!

How are those Christmas preparations going? Did I hear some groans? Didn't we all agree not to stress? We said we would enjoy the little pleasures of the season, didn't we? I know, it's a work in progress! And it might require a spiked eggnog! ;)

Well, this morning I started on my to-do list and began wrapping some presents. I reminded myself to keep it simple, that wrapping pretty gifts shouldn't take an entire day! And guess what? The first one I wrapped was so quick, easy and inexpensive, I had to share it with you!

Isn't it cute? The materials I used to wrap this little gift were all at my fingertips. The little box was recycled from last year, the Kraft wrapping papper was the center of a roll of gift wrap, the owl was colored months back when I was practicing with Copic Markers. The Kraft tag is from Martha Stewart, purchased at least a year ago, the twine and rub-ons from Doodlebug, don't we all have loads of twine and rub-ons in our stash? Lastly, that sweet little doily, I acquired long ago from a local vintage shop.

Quick and easy and nothing to buy! Gotta love it! I'll be done with my gift wrapping in no time if I can keep it simple and use things I lready have!

Hope your holiday preparations are going well, and those of you who have it all done...please let me in on your secrets! ;)

Kathy

Keeping Warm

Hello!

Is the weather outside frightful in your neck of the woods? We're supposed to get up to about 60 degrees today which is not bad for mid-December, right? Many of you are probably much colder and may even have snow so I have a card today to help give you warm thoughts.

Love this pup! He's part of the Bella Blvd. Winter Wonder Collection. Don't you just love his little green snow shoes? :)

If it's chilly in your area, hope you keep cozy warm!

Kathy :)

Christmas Joy

Hello!

This is my second post today so please make sure you scroll down to the first because I have a special tutorial for creating adorable little paper houses!

How are your Christmas preparations coming along? I can't believe some of my cards are being held up by lack of postage stamps! Yep, the post office was out! What the......! This is one snag I didn't anticipate! I ordered some stamps on-line right away so hopefully they'll arrive quickly and things will be back on track.

Today I have another project share, a Christmas card...'tis the season! :)

I created this card using the Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes collection and an inspiration photo you have to check out here. I promise you will be happy you did because my teammates created some gorgeous projects that I had to Pin!

Don't you just love banners? And presents? Pretty wrapped presents?

I hope you enjoyed my share...and don't forget to check out my previous post for today for a gift giving tutorial!

Kathy :)

Hello!

Oh my, did you notice that Christmas is less than two weeks away? The two week marker slipped passed me on Sunday! It's time to wrap up our presents and get those last minute gifts taken care of! So at the Doodlebug Designs blog, I have a tutorial to show you how to make the following little paper houses for gift giving.

Hope you have a bit of time to hop over and check out the different ways you can use these paper houses for gifts.

Kathy :)

December Daily - Days Six & Seven

Good day!

The December Daily is moving right along and I couldn't be more happy about it. I know how much we'll enjoy it years down the road and I imagine that when Christopher is an adult, he will love reading about the activities we enjoyed during the season.

First, I have to tell you about a funny conversation that happened this morning while Dan, Christopher and I were getting breakfast together. As my husband was pouring a glass of orange juice, it reminded me of the fresh squeezed tangerine juice I picked up at Whole Foods over the weekend so I said, "I got you and Christopher some tangerine juice to try." Dan stood there looking at me like I just sprouted another eye so I said it again, "I got you some tangerine juice." I guess I'm pretty soft spoken because he just kept staring at me like I was crazy and then he said, "You got us some canned green juice?" Oh my! Canned green juice?!?! LOL I had to pull myself together so that I could say, "No! I got you some tangerine juice!" Finally he got it and was laughing too. All morning we just kept cracking up and making further jokes about it. Ah...the little things!

So here are days six and seven of our December Daily. On the sixth I typed up our family letter to send along with our Christmas cards.

For our seventh day I started addressing all the handmade cards I've been making for my design team assignments. I hope everyone enjoys the extra fancy one-of-a-kind cards this year! Usually I create a design or two and then duplicate it.

I got to do a little blog hopping yesterday and it's been fun seeing all the fabulous projects everyone is crafting and I loved seeing some of your decorated homes! Hope you are all having a great time preparing for Christmas! Thanks for stopping in!

Kathy :)

December Daily - Days Four & Five

Hello! Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

Since I posted on Friday, in a bit of panic about cards, ornaments and the December Daily, I've gotten all but one of my ornaments done and worked on our December Daily so that I'm not as far behind. I just might pull this thing off! But it's having me seriously reconsider doing a project 365! Oh my! If 25 days is difficult? Whew! We'll see.

Here's days four and five of our December Daily. I'm really liking this mini album! It's pages are pretty small (4" x 8 1/2") so there's not a lot of space which means I need to keep it simple. I like the shape of this Doodlebug Designs Plain & Simple book. And I really love that I didn't spend close to $100 dollars for the ultra cool Studio Calico version I would have enjoyed having! Oh, and of all the December Daily albums I've seen, my looks so different and unique!

On December fourth we hung our wreath on the front door. It's our only outside decoration besides seeing our tree through the window. I like to keep it simple and it looks so pretty.

On the fifth day of December we received our first gift of Christmas when Christopher came home from school with some presents for his mom, dad and kitties. So sweet!

So today I plan on finishing up a couple more pages of the December Daily and addressing the last of our cards. How about you? What's on your agenda today? Perhaps I'll have a little time to blog hop and see what you've been up to!

Kathy :)

December Daily - Days Two & Three

Hello!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can........keep up with the December Daily even though I've only finished up to December third and it's the ninth! ;)  The project has been put aside temporarily so that I can make gift ornaments and address Christmas cards. I wish there were just a couple more hours in the day to get it all done; how about you?

Well, I'll make this a quick post so I can get back to it. I love making my ornaments and cards, I just don't like how quickly the days go by and that I need to get it all posted in the next couple of days so they arrive in the mail on time. After that things will calm down a bit. Ahhh.....just breath! ;)

So here's my 2nd and 3rd days of our December Daily...

I'm keeping it pretty simple, much like our 2010 December Daily. I'm adding some stitching and a couple extra accents.

Here's a little Sugar peeking out of the kitty Christmas Stocking! Isn't she adorable?

Christopher's awesome photo with Santa!

I better run and get a couple more ornaments made and I have to run to the post office with some of them. Hope you are enjoying these days and not too rushed.

Kathy :)