Happy Festivus to the rest of us.

Good morning! It's so close to Christmas & I'm really excited to hand so many of my family members a little something I've handmade them. No I didn't pair it with lots of store bought goodies... why? Simply put, because more isn't better. I love Christmas for so many reason: the snow, the family, the thoughtful gifts, the unnecessary acts of kindness, the feeling of a global community. I also have many things I really dislike: my house gets trashed and crowded from all the gifts, my daughter can have streaks of "needing" everything or being sad that wishes don't get delivered to your lap, i DO NOT like to shovel. 

So this Christmas I am focusing on the things I love, and trying to save some stress for myself and others too. Less present, more meaning, more time spent DOING and less time spent GETTING. 

With that said, here are some of my handmade Christmas items. 

<3

my niece syd loves octopuses. and orange. 

July Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp

Hello, happy hump day from Iowa. 

As I may have mentioned before, I have a lot of events happening this month (ooh the wedding reception i'm attending in a week will yield the most amazing photos, i'll be sure to post!) ... &all of this has kept my crafting on high gear. 

This afternoon while my biggest little monster napped rolled around in her bed, I created a few cards! After an hour she tip toed out of her room stating she had "thought she heard someone saying her name... oh- no? well.. what are you doing??" &so i agreed to let her quietly craft with me while littlest monster slept. 

FLASHBACk to my CHilDhooD.

Oh how i loved sitting in the recliner next to my grandmother sewing. To be back in that time& to spend another day just talking to her, it makes me cry a little just to type this. 

It's GO time

YIKES! 

This time of year is so crazy for my family. The Iowa State Fair starts today & while it doesn't seem to be a game changer, it is when your hubby works at the fairgrounds. His work schedule gets insane during this time- working 7 days a week& for the last two days he's worked 13 hours + each day. Ick for him& lots to do for me. I'm trying to keep him fed, the kids& house in order, & we have events up the wazooo that I'll be attending for the rest of August. 

Well, that was my rant, er kind of. Point being, is that I have been creating quite a few cards for all these lovely occasions. Yesterday I received a new package from Simon Says Stamp. 

I purchased a few new paper packs, the SSS July Card Kit, Lawn Fawn Stamp Set, Brads, MFT Doily Pack... oh the happy dance i did when i got it. :) 

Memory Book- paper bag album

Memory Book 

New Baby Card

Hello all, I hope I'm catching you on a wonderful day! Here at my house we were up kind of early ... my day varies on when children wake up... today it was 630am, but other days I get a little more sleep& get up at 7:15am. I'm very lucky to have children who occasionally sleep in. <3 

Yesterday during my craft time aka naptime, I was messing with this banner that was leftover from a Fathers Day Frame made by my sister. She had been using the piece of scrap paper to test out mists, but it looked really cool. I decided to take it and make a new baby card... which is a type of card I rarely ever make. (not sure why... lack of stamps?) well, I had picked up two mini stamp sets at hobby lobby & thought I should show them some love. This one is a sentiment of congrats& had the little whale on it. Very simple but fun for baby. 

You are so thoughtful.. Card

MORNiNG!  

I'm here today with a simple but oh so sweet card that I made up earlier this week based off of a card I pinned that looked like this ... 

SUNSHINE = SUMMER card

Hello! I'm here today with a card that I made earlier this week during a card-a-palooza session. All that really means is that I had a few hours of free time & got down to business on some cards lol. 

CPS #269

Afternoon!! You know, when I'm at home with the kids running here and there & stopping to look at my blog... there are some days when NO ONE is posting. Out of the numerous blogs I follow, everyone will be silent for some few hours& of course I'm multitasking it up here at home going

"DANG! Where is everyone?!" 

So, I go up to my craft room during my next little break (usually nap time) & create. Then, I come back down, take a snapshot& upload so all of you yelling the same thing at your computer have something to look at. lol 

Today, I made a cute card for CPS... I've just loved their inspiration cards this time around & had to get going on my own!!

Just to Say Hello Card

Afternoon everyone! This has been such a slow posting week for me, partly because family is in town & also because I'm home with the children full time now! It takes a bit of getting use to and later I will have some updates on curriculum I've created for my 4yr. old while homeschooling. I've got about ... oh 4 weeks? worth of lesson plans to blog about including some great pictures and activities.. I think I will make a week out of those posts! 

BUUUT... back to the card. 

**Smashbook** UPDATE

Before we went to Vegas (woot woot // I'll smash that later!), I ordered a bunch of instagram pictures. I really looove how they turn out from postalpix. 

Polaroid WEEK !!

Hi all! Hope that this week has been as good to you as it has to me <3. I am getting ready to take the kiddo's on a walk so we can enjoy this lovely weather we are having. On thursday evening, my husband and I will be taking our first trip since the baby was born. We have a wedding in Las Vegas to attend and will be there until Sunday. WOOHOO! Although, I am super nervous about missing my little ones, though I am also very much looking forward to a vacation.