My Favorite Layouts of 2008

My first layout for Scrapstars...I was so happy that Jill and Shaunna asked me to join! It's been a blast!


A new one...and something I'm trying to focus on more than I do.


Because my sister is awesome. I'm happy we've started to get past our petty squabble stage. I feel like I've been a better sister to her this year.


I didn't think we'd have a cat this year. Now I can't imagine not having Lola around.


As a teacher, I've dealt with too much loss this year.


I like all the stuff on this page.


I love my husband more and more each day, and there are still days where I wonder what I did to deserve him. :)


I got my passport this year, and traveled to Poland and Germany.


Again, fun stuff on this page. :)


Someone stopped me to tell me they thought my headband looked like a tiara. :D


My dorm room in college. There are days I miss college.


This is a new one...Lola inspecting the lights. I promise she's not eating them.


Another school year...this one has been much better than I anticipated.


My brother finished his first year of college. I'm so happy for him...and yes, he IS that much taller than me.

Pa

I have tons of photos to share (3 Christmas' worth!), but I'm still going through all of the files. So I wanted to share some video that I took of Mike's grandpa singing. He's a lot of fun to watch!

I hope everyone had a very happy Christmas! I'm working on my 2009 goal, and I'll share those soon. Oh, and that pen story from a couple of weeks ago...promise I haven't forgotten!

And now for your listening pleasure...

...my Christmas mice.

I gave these to my grandma a few years ago as a Christmas present, because she loved moving, musical decorations like these. I got them back after she passed away, and they rank among my favorites.

Yesterday was....

Waking up under a heavy comforter.
6 degree temps.
A purple scarf and red vintage flower pin.
Going to work while Mike stayed home.
Beef jerky and goldfish for lunch.
A 6th period exam that everyone passed.
Getting crafty while waiting for a Windows update.
Lots of grading.
A new video camera to play with a work.
A sweet surprise from a sweet friend.
Being too tired (perhaps lazy) to cook dinner.
Writing an engineering exam.
Packaging gifts.
Being tucked in by my husband.
Prayers of thanks that the day went better than expected.

A couple of shares

Check out challenge #10 at Scrapstars! We're sharing our handmade Christmas gifts -- lots of cute stuff over there!

And the Pretty Committee is still doing the 12 days of Scrap-mas, and there might be a prize or two involved.

I have two more days of school remaining before break, even though every other teacher I know is already on Christmas break. Snow-day vibes would be greatly appreciated. :)

Here's a little something I can share...

My 12 Days of Scrap-mas tutorial is up over at the Pretty Committee blog. We're making ornaments because I couldn't resist buying a tub of beads at Michael's - lol.



My favorite is the yellow one. I decided today that I would like a tree with yellow ornaments. That's probably means I'm difficult -- I haven't seen a yellow ornament all year long. :)

We saw a local performance of A Christmas Carol. It was performed as a radio drama, and my Jenny was the Ghost of Christmas Present. She rocked! It was such a great performance, and I love that it was local.

And wow, it's been a great weekend for movies on tv...last night was Gremlins and The Princess Bride. This morning, Ghostbusters II.

Oh, I'm saving this topic for my next post, but I want to know something first: What is the highest amount of money that you are willing to pay for an ink pen? (Don't worry, I'm not going to try to sell you anything!) Odd question, I know. But it relates back to an odd situation at work. I promise I'll share more about it soon!

'Tis the season for crafty things

I want to make stuff.
Christmas stuff, to be exact.

I did make this collar for Lola. It took about 15 minutes to stitch up. And only thirty seconds for her to remove it.



I am loving all the great decorating/craft ideas I've been seeing over the last month.

I especially love this one, and am in the process of making a small one for the cute tinsel tree I picked up this weekend (for $4!!!). I love that it's so simple to make.

I want to make some of these. Total cuteness.

I made this wreath, and then I shrunk down the pattern to make ornaments. I made a last-minute decision to give the ornaments as gifts to friends and extended family this year. The cardboard is a bit of a pain to cut out. Literally. But the end result is so worth it.

I want to make this wreath, too. Because you really can't have too many wreaths.

And these would be lots of fun to make.

Seriously, next year I'm gonna have to start Christmas crafting in June. :D

But I'm ashamed to admit with all the exciting craft ideas swirling around me, I have not put the Christmas tree up. Hopefully Mike and I will remedy that issue this weekend.

Oh, and I have some crafty goodness of my own to share. But you'll have to wait until they're posted here and here. I'll let you know when that happens.

Off to download some festive songs!

I love a good challenge.

And two challenges are twice as nice!

This is the first Scrapstars challenge for December...scrap your Christmas list. Except mine isn't nearly as exciting as my husband's...since he actually made one this year. Yeah, it's a first!



There's also The Pretty Committee's first challenge of the month. What is the one thing that you want for Christmas? My big wish is to have the 22nd and 23rd off of work, like most every other teacher in the area. I'm still holding out for snow days... :)