Welcome 2010 (Let's get the YEAR right!)

I have never been one to make resolutions as the new year rings in. There's just something about setting lofty goals and the whole follow through-thing that has never set well with me. However, something is in the air this year. I feel a sense of rebirth and empowerment as 2010 begins. I am getting things done - at my pace - and enjoying being organized, acting with purpose and intention. No resolutions in place, just a feeling of excitement as the new year begins that has me buzzing about.


I wish all of you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2010 free from the pressures of resolutions, yet filled with the promise of newness and fresh starts.

Had to Re-Post This!!!

The Red Chair Blog had a post back in September about a website called Spoonflower, which allows you to design, create, dream up {you name it!} your OWN FABRIC!!! Too good to pass up! You simply MUST check this out!

http://www.spoonflower.com

Hallmark Christmas

Sarah at Sassy Frazz is giving away two $25 Hallmark giftcards. She offers some great advice & reviews on a number of products. Stop on by to post your comment for a chance to win!

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

Can it be true? YES! HOBBY LOBBY is starting online sales on January 1st. WOO HOO!


I cannot wait! Oh, the trouble I will get into...

http://shop.hobbylobby.com

Rest of Christmas Decor...oops!

Might have been nice to put up the rest of my Christmas decor on the blog, but it's better late than never! : ) These pictures are of our basement family room. Not the best...I basically used whatever scraps I had!



This shelf is probably my LEAST favorite, but it had to do. There's always next year!


Our family room is long...here's a shot of the area where our daughter plays. The tree down here is always the same as far as decorations. All fun, some made by a Great Aunt of mine that passed away in October 2008. I added red lights this year and the spikey white branch thingies. I L.O.V.E. the red lights mixed with the white. It's fun and flirty...kinda like me! ; )




I had to show off my Pottery Barn-inspired frame collage...



Close-up of some of the ornaments. My absolute favorite is the little basket of yarn toward the top left. Nails painted gray are used for the knitting needles! SO cute...miss you Nancy!!!


Life definitely is good.




Acrylic snowflakes from Dollar Tree & white snowflake bucket tins from the $1 bins at Target.



Marabou "ribbon" & gift labels from Target. I added alphabet scrapbooking stickers I had laying around from an old project.





I'm linking up to DIY Show Off's Holiday Highlights!



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Homemade Christmas

I try to be economical, creative, and fun when thinking of gifts for our nieces and nephews, whose ages range from 2 - 6 years old. I ran across these 16" x 20" (or so) canvases at the Christmas Tree Shop for just about $3 each and knew I could do something fun with them for the kids' gifts this year.

{Please don't mind the background...these were taken in our basement laundry room!}


These colors are in Emma's bedding, which our daughter also has. It's the Shabby Chic Fairytale Bedding line at Target. Emma is a cutie-patootie and while she's not known for eating ice cream (although I'm sure she likes it!), this silhouette definitely reminded me of her!


Chloe is the oldest - 6 years old - and just got her hair cut like this over the summer. I have a wonderful picture of her hula hooping on our deck and just had to do this silhouette for hers! I tried to Mod Podge for the first time, and poor Chloe's picture kept puckering. Thank God for good old glue! Needless to say the Mod Podging ended there!


Zachary - or ZackAttack as we call him - has a golden retriever named Duke. Zach is 4, is known for jumping on beds, and this soooo reminds me of him!


Sweet Alexa is the youngest of the group...for now! She's almost two - just two months younger than our daughter. We're expecting another in April. Anyway, she's a sweet and quiet little thing she's ZackAttack's sister!..enough said!


Ben falls in line just behind Chloe and is also 6. His father is a fire fighter, and his bedroom has old firefighter helmets and other such things in it. He's such a sweet boy and wants to be just like his daddy. {sniffle}

My wonderful mother shares her Cricut machine with me and helped me cut out all the silhouettes from "A Child's Year." The kids will be getting these tomorrow...I am so nervous they won't like them! In the very least, I had a GREAT time making them and am glad I can give them something unique and not just another toy. : )

Stairwell

The stairwell going down to our family room/basement. I continually struggle with decorating this on a regular basis, but for some reason the holiday decor worked this year. I'll take it!




Our daughter was born in November 2007...I cannot believe time has gone by so fast already.




My $2 garlands from WalMart. I'll be lucky if there are any "needles" left by the end of the holiday season. You really do get what you pay for!




Linking to holiday house parties at:

* Hooked on Houses
* Southern Hospitality Blog
* Funky Junk
* The Inspired Room