Holiday Crafts - Sparkly Wreaths

I haven't done much holiday crafting the past few years - other than my December Daily - but this year got me into sparkly wreaths. And so began the Week of Glitter.

The first one I built was a housewarming gift for a dear friend who took possession of her new place 5 days before Christmas! Another gal from work saw what I was working on, and was so pumped that I offered her a wreath as her Xmas gift. "Pink" she said, "any shade".

After I got so many lovely comments on Instagram about those two initial wreaths I made, I put it out there that I was "opening commissions" for sparkly wreaths. Here is a very convincing testimonial....

I was asked to do four more wreaths. They take a long time to make, and everything in my home is now covered in glitter, but they are FUN.

I am now done for the season, but as they were a middling hit, I am going to make a plan to do more in 2019. Step 1: start earlier!!

FUNNY NOTES
It was hard to type this post, as I got some extra superglue on my finger tips and now they're all slippery.

Watching a funny movie, or listening to your favourite jams while crafting is imperative. What We Do In The Shadows is now my new favourite movie.

Happy Solstice everyone!
xo

Mini (Mini) Album

I think I set the bar high last year for a new Christmas tradition.

Here, let this righteous "vlog" do the explaining!


Supplies:
- Corner rounder
- Random paper cut down to 3" x 4" (can also use Project Life or other pocket scrapbooking cards)
- Packing tape
- A couple of small embellishments or sticker letters
- Adhesive (my go-to is Sookwang)

Step By Step (ooh baby)
1. The most important steps are getting the photos and getting the writing. I used my Instax instant camera, but honestly you could just take photos of all your people, and print them later. Remember to take all the photos in the same orientation (landscape or portrait) to make it easier to create the album later.

Since I knew I wasn't going to see both sides of the card, I used some of my old one-sided business cards. The paper is really nice, and it's a shame to let them go to waste! Don't give your people a huge sheet of paper because that is guaranteed to overwhelm, and make them feel like they have to write a damn novel or something. A couple of sentences at most is all I asked for.


2. Since mine was a "Christmas theme", I went through my meager stash of Christmas themed supplies, and pulled paper from there. But honestly, use what you have. I used sparkly papers for the covers because I like gold sparkly paper yo.

If you want to use cards already cut down to size, assemble those. Enough so each picture and card gets a side.


3. Cut all of your paper down to size. I like the smaller size of this album because a) I wanted it to be a small keepsake and b) My Instax photos and the similarly sized cards fit just right! But make it whatever size works for your photos and journaling cards.

Corner round those suckers! Cause it makes it look so fancy schmancy.


4. Decide on your order of cards, photos, and papers and then BIND THEM!

I bind you paper. Bind you from doing harm against others and harm against yourself.

Grab your packing tape. Unroll a little bit, enough to mostly cover the edge of your paper, and cut it. Line it up to one side of your paper and stick it down. Now, butt your other page against the first one and stick them together.

This is honestly a shitty description and I should really do a video showing how I do this step. But I trust y'all and bet you can figure it out on your own.


5. Keep going until you have all your pages taped together. Then adhere your photos and journaling cards to the pages.


6. Embellish the covers as desired, and call it a night!


This was such a fun project to put together, but ultimately I am just SO STINKIN HAPPY that I got photos of and words from some of my favourite people. This is honestly going to become a treasured Christmas tradition.

xo

'Tis The Season...or whatever

I was going to post some more "feelings" here about Christmas, but let's just say that I have a hard time with Christmas and leave it there!

But this year I am excited for it! In fits and spurts, of course, but it's there most of the time.

So I thought that instead of explain why it's okay if Christmas sucks in your life (which would be helpful to people), I am going to write about why I'm excited about Christmas this year! Which is more helpful to me and my sanity! Yay!

1. Activities!
There are so many things happening in Edmonton to help celebrate the season. So. Many. Things! And I'm going to go to as many as I can, and not feel stressed about the ones I miss. I also want to do stuff at home like watch Christmas movies, and make eggnog. Even if I have to enjoy them by myself. I think sometimes we forget that single people celebrate Christmas too. And that solitude is a-okay!
Coming up this week: Legislature Light Up on Thursday, Goodbye Hello party at the Royal Alberta Museum on the weekend, Luminaria at Devonian Botanical Gardens on Saturday.

2. December Daily
I almost finished my December Daily last year, and it was the closest I ever got. This year I have a better system in place, and I've collected lots of supplies so I don't have to go searching for anything, and I'm just going to see what happens. No pressure. Looking back through last year's album reminded me that it was one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time. And I intend on making sure this year's beats the record!

3. Putting up my tree
I don't like to do a lot of decorating in my house. Mostly, it just stresses me out, and no one notices anyway. But I do love a bright and sparkly Christmas Tree. This year, I am slightly more stressed about putting up a tree, because I still have loads of "stuff" sitting in my living room waiting either for a new home in my home, or a garbage bag. So I am ignoring all the gazillion posts that went up on social media this weekend of everyone's beautiful, perfect homes, with magazine-worthy living rooms, and perfectly matching Christmas Decor that make me want to poke my eyeballs out and just drink whisky in bed for the next month. And I am focusing instead on my quirky little life and my quirky little home, and how my one tiny tree covered in homemade ornaments and memories is just perfect for me.

4. Hanging out with small children
If there is one thing that brings me more (Christmas) Joy than anything else, it's my nieces and nephews. I can't wait to see & feel and experience their excitement for Christmas. Better than any medication (or self-medication) I can buy. Dude isn't big into Christmas, and I have learned to let go of any expectations that I set for myself in going over the top for him. That was a HUGE stressor in my past, and I am so over it now. We start our Lego Star Wars Advent calendar this week, and I am super pumped!

For me, the Christmas season is about Family & Lights in the Darkness & No Pressure. And trying not to feel stressed out about my messy living room, and my messy bedroom, and the dirty dishes in the sink, and, and, and. Those things are just part of my life, my work-in-progress. And I can still make the most out of this next month with those to-dos running in the background.

For those of you having a hate-on for Christmas right now, I get it. I really do. I may not have the same reasons as you for not thinking this is the "Hap-Happiest Season of All", but I feel your pain. And I am so sorry for whatever has happened in your life that has you feeling that way. I hope you have the means to take care of yourself this season. And come out intact on the other side. After all, cold, black, dead January is coming right up! I kid, I kid!

Stay safe. Celebrate however you can, and however you want. Or don't celebrate at all. Do what you gotta do to make it through. No pressure.
xo

p.s. I might get to go to mass with BFF's family on Christmas Eve and I am so excited! Yes, I am still an atheist, but i get to sing in the company of other people!!

Bah Humbug?

I have been told that I am a Scrooge, that I must just hate Christmas.

Because I don't have an Elf on a Shelf.

Because I don't put my tree up at midnight on November 30, and decorate every inch of my house.

Because I don't collect Christmas scrapbooking supplies.

And I laugh it off, and make fun of myself, because I am good at that. Because I've been doing that for years for everything else that makes me an odd duck.

But it kind of hurts my heart.

I am not a Scrooge. I look at Christmas through different eyes, that's all.

Christmas is memories of family filling my house as a child. Getting excited as each car pulled up, and the cold air blew in from the open door. Dressing up, playing with my aunts and uncles. Giant snowmen in the backyard. Throwing snowballs with Dad, seeing who could hit the street sign from farthest away. Grandma buying the best Christmas crackers she could find, and seeing who kept their paper hat on the longest. Helping make the gravy. Jokes about gravy. Kids tables. Turning all the lights off in the house except for the Christmas tree, sitting in the quiet watching it glow. Watching Christmas movies. Singing carols with Dad using the song sheets they printed in the newspaper. Naked Christmas mornings (that was before Dude ;) Horse rides on the farm. Ugly sweaters and dozens of cousins. French onion soup and meat pie. Board games. Giggles. Wrestling and rastling. Lego towers. Warm snuggles before bed. Footy pajamas. Writing letters, sending cards. Naps. Carrying sleeping babies to and from cars.

Every December Daily and Elf on the Shelf photo I see on Instagram or Facebook makes me feel so inadequate. I struggle with this season every year. There is so much pressure for perfection. Perfect advent calendar, perfect gift selection, perfect breakfasts and traditions and excitement every day of the month! But I refuse to believe that I am doing Christmas wrong.

I tried making a big deal out of the "Month of Christmas", and no one actually cared or noticed and it stressed me out. So what's the point?

My Christmas doesn't look like yours, but that doesn't mean I don't love Christmas.

I will try not to say anything disparaging about the upkeep of your Elf, so please try and do the same about my lack thereof.

Wrap It Up

Yes, this is a DIY wrapping paper post. Coming a week after Christmas. But I would argue that it can be used year round. So there.

I wrapped all of my Christmas presents like this. And it was simple, and it's cute, and it's free!

You will need: White packing paper, scissors, washi tape, pencil crayons or markers, regular tape (because the washi tape isn't strong enough to keep these packages sealed!)

Be creative! Put that washi tape in whatever pattern you want! For Nadine & Anna's I used the tape to "write" their initials. Add bows or string or ribbon or pom poms, doodle and paint. If you want to get a little bit more complicated, the sky is the limit with this basic background.

Layer your paper. I found that while the paper I used is very sturdy, it is also very translucent! Double up on the layers to make the entire package much stronger and to discourage peeking!

Get help. This is a great way to get the the little ones involved. Lucas wrote the "to & from" on a couple of boxes, and I think that if he was in the mood I could have had him draw or doodle on them as well.

Personalize them.  Write a fun message or note to the recipient. Who needs a card, when your entire present can serve the purpose?!

And I still have loads of this paper (and loads of washi tape), so I definitely plan on using this system to wrap all my presents next year!

Today is my replacement DIY Sunday with BFF, so I hope to have more fun (and easy...so easy) DIYs for you in the next couple of weeks. Until then...

later loves

Last Minute Snail Mail

My sister sent out an amazing Christmas letter, and I know it's only a matter of days before I receive Dad's. I cannot let these two carry the Seibold tradition alone this year. So I "whipped up" this bad boy the other night instead of doing the dishes.

I think it was worth it...and hopefully by the time this post goes live these letters and my cards will be well on their way out into the world.

I believe in snail mail.

later loves

Tell A Story - Proud Momma Moment

Lucas had his Christmas Concert at school on Wednesday night, and boy howdy was it ever a good time! We walked over in the cold and the snow, dropped Lucas off at his classroom and headed to the gym. Mr. Pothier gave the same speech he gives every year. And the show was great!

We saw a big change in Lucas this year. He was excited to go, he was looking forward to it, and he actually sang along and actively participated in the concert! And he didn't have to wear his headphones! So many firsts for him. He's growing up.

The best part of the night, however, was this photo shoot at home before we left. I asked Dude if I could get a nice picture of him in his "Sunday Best" (but since it's not Sunday, it's our "Wednesday Best"...he's hilarious!) and he proceeded to actually pose for me! That crooked smile and those dimples get me every time!

That last one was a surprise and didn't happen until I said GO!

Lucas told me the jokes that would be shared before his class' performance, but made sure to let me know that I should still laugh at them, and not shout out the answers and spoil it for everyone else.

How does an angel answer the phone?

Halo!

What is a snowman's favourite food?

Cold cuts & frosted flakes!

What nationality is Santa Claus?

North Polish!

As far as I'm concerned, my kid is the best kid.

later loves

Garland DIY - Say Something!

So I found this website through Elise's blog, and I was intrigued. They have some nice decor and party DIYs. Well, they are really more about giving you an idea then the steps necessary to make that idea come to life. Take this garland for example. The "instructions" start out like so: "simply cut out letters from bright scrapbook paper". Thanks. Duh. Did you trace the letters from something? Draw them freehand? WHAT?! TELL ME HOW!!!

Sigh. Thank goodness I am a fucking crafting genius and can just figure it out on my own. I've made banners before. Loads of them. I got this.

You will need: Scissors, string/yarn/ribbon, cardstock, pen or pencil, tape/glue/stapler (aka something to attach something to something else)

Step One: After choosing your cardstock - you will need something fairly heavy for this - start writing your letters. Mine are about 5-6" tall cause I wanted a fucking huge banner. But make yours whatever size you're comfortable with. Oh, you'll have to have a phrase or word in mind as well. Unless random letters are your thing. "USHLKERZXQ" might look really good on your wall for all I know.

Note: Before we get too far into this, I'm going to go ahead and post a disclaimer that I am really unconcerned with the perfect-ness of this project! If you're real anal-pants you can print off a template from the computer, or use a cutting machine (Silhouette, Sizzix, etc.) to get your letters "just right". Barf, I don't have time for that. Maybe I'll use a ruler, and maybe not. I just want some damn giant letters!

Step Two: Cut out your letters.

Step Three: Maybe have a pee break or get up and walk around or something.

Step Four: Attach your letters to your string/yarn/ribbon. In order. Use whatever you want! Washi tape looks pretty, but a stapler is fast man! I used clear tape on the backs. I was feeling particularly lazy that night.

Step Five: Hang it on your wall or your mantle! Admire with pride! Have a drink...you deserve it!

Cost: $0
I had all this stuff already, and you probably do too!

Time: 1 hour-ish
This project took way less time than I anticipated. Way less. I almost wanted to delete the entire post I had written! Ha! With the damn chilly weather we've been having, I'm not getting to do any of my favourite outdoor winter activities, so I'll just have to make do with some crafting in fits and spurts!

The beauty with a craft like this is in it's simplicity. You got a pencil? Paper? Scissors? You know your alphabet? You got this too!

Best part of the whole project? When I pointed it out to Lucas, he looked super cheery and read it back to me: "Hashtag I Love Winter". My 8-year-old knows what a hashtag is. I can't tell if that's a parental fail, or parental winning.

I think "winning"...wink

later loves

Christmas Cards - Spoiler Alert!

 I FINALLY ordered our Christmas cards! I got started ages ago online, and got frustrated. Really really super frustrated. Sometimes I think technology is out to get me. I'm in real trouble if Skynet ever becomes a reality. So I took a break, forgot completely about them, stumbled on a post from Elise, and then had a scramble moment!

My sister & I (but it was mostly Amy's idea) bought a family photography session for my Mom for her birthday. We wanted to take the pressure off of her shoulders, as she is usually the one taking our pictures in the fall. And Sheri did an amazing job. We all look really great on Mom's wall!

But I haven't done anything with the pictures since receiving the disc in September. And I'm a scrapbooker, for Pete's sake! We live for this shit!

So I spent some time last night on the laptop, eating ice cream, watching old Fred Astaire movies, and ordering photos. That's my kind of "me time". It was really easy to upload my pictures to the site, and change what I needed to change. And they have so many options for cards. And envelopes are included! A little less stress this time of year is always appreciated. The back of the card is the most adorable photo of Lucas I have ever seen in my whole life. The grandparents are going to enjoy that one!

I only hope they come in time! HA!

photography by Capture It! Photography

card from minted.com

And I don't get anything from anybody for this post!

later loves

Cranky Pants

I have been feeling really cranky and "down in the dumps" lately. I was working some silly long days, the weather has been getting colder, I wasn't making it to the gym...there were many external reasons. And to "cope" I started doing the things that I know only help in the short term. Dessert, garlic stuffed olives, wine...


Even the geniuses fall off the train every once and awhile.

So today I am going to focus on AWESOME and make these doldrums a thing of the past!

I get to see Nicole this weekend! And we are going to a dress-up party at the Jasper Park Lodge!

I am going to my company Christmas dinner tomorrow and plan to stuff my face full of as much Greek food as humanly possible!

BFF takes possession of his new place this week, so I have already purchased a food-based house warming gift and am getting excited to help him move!

Dude's Christmas Concert is next week, and he has already told me that he isn't just going to mouth the words to the song like he has in year's past! HA!

My tree is up! MY CHRISTMAS TREE! That's got to be some kind of Lisa-record.

I had a great hair day yesterday, and my boobs look great in this dress!

Lunch date tomorrow! Coffee date Friday...Candace?!

There is CHILI cooking in the crock pot at home right now, and my place is going to smell so delicious when I get home!

I finally figured out how to create a new layer in Photoshop! Well...sort of...hey, it's a steep learning curve!

There...that's better...

later loves

Christmas Shopping for the Fashionable Lady

Sigh...this was a tough list to make only because I could have kept going and going and going! But I tried to keep it practical and simple. Because those are the kinds of gifts I like!

1 // Thermal long-sleeved...A clever way to layer under and over all those tees and tanks and sweaters and cardigans we northerners put on in the winter months! An easy DIY too, if you're going the handmade route this year.

2 // LOVE Scarf...Ack! Wearable art! I can't even explain how happy this makes me! I have loved Alisa Burke's art and passion for art for a long time. I discovered her as I was getting into painting and mixed media and all that, and she continues to be an inspiration to me. Her new line of accessories is so beautiful and genuine.

3 // Black skirt...If I have learned one thing as an adult who works in an office, every lady should own a lovely black skirt. Of respectable length. You can't go wrong with a simple pencil or A-line one. You just can't.

4 // Warm Mittens!...These are essential up here, and if you have to wear them you might as well find something that looks good too! Now, if only they had a bow...and were an actual colour...

5 // Matt & Nat Vegan Leather Bag...A beautiful cross-body bag is both functional and fashionable. It's a must-have for a Mom, and the vintage look is super trendy right now. Pick out a fun colour for a nice change of pace.

And one more for good measure, even though I can't grab a pic from their site: patterned leggings!...And don't let those haters tell you that you can't wear them as pants. Geeze people. Take a breather!

And a cardigan or beautiful sweater is always appreciated! If you want to earn double bonus points, make it cashmere this Christmas...wink...

later loves

MY December Daily

Even after I swore to myself I would NOT attempt another December Daily - after last year's epic fail - I saw Jen's beautifully constructed book and I pretty much immediately started work on my own!

For those of you not "in the know" the December Daily phenomenon was started by Ali Edwards ages and ages ago, as a way to document the Christmas-related, day-to-day events and moments that seem to fill (her) December. As with most of these things, I find it ironic that we seek to fill up one of the busiest months of the year with more to-do lists! Sometimes I feel like the only thing I have to document in my December Daily is how I've been working on my December Daily! HA!

Moving my cynicism aside, I do enjoy this endeavor. Mini albums are always good in my books. And worth a little sacrifice...of sleep mostly. And time when I could be doing the dishes!

You will notice that I only posted pics of the layouts up to December 10th. I am NOT that far behind! These are just the pages I wanted to share, and show the first week of the project. I spent some more time working on it before we left on our "holiday", and plan to add the finishing touches when we get home. I am NOT going to add Disneyland into this book! Oh my, that would just be too much. Disney gets its own mini.....wink!

 

 

Some housekeeping notes:
- The album is super old Making Memories, and was a demo for a (kid's) class I taught at TM.
- The thick transparency sheets were "donated" to me! I have no idea the company/brand. Each week begins with a new transparency.
- I scraplifted the first page from Jen & the stripes are inspired by Elise
- The 4x6 photo pages are American Crafts
- I print all of my photos at home. The square ones are all Instagram.

I kept most of my embellishments ridiculously simple! One of my December Studio Calico kits came with the pack of vellum numbers. So when I saw those I sort of went: "duh" and have been using them ever since. And then I discovered the hole in the bag...but I think only one number is missing for good!

I'm trying not to be too picky with matching colours and stuff. This project is way too overwhelming as it is! I just grab what's handy - literally - and start gluing things together. I am trying to keep the events documented limited to Christmas-related things. Or December-specific things. Project Life will pick up all that other stuff. Yes....I still plan on finishing up Project Life for the year. But please don't ask me when that will happen...Dear lord....what have I got myself in to!

Thinking about this project, as well as Project Life, and coming to the end of the year I find myself thinking about how I want to incorporate these kinds of long-term, daily scrapbooking endeavors in to my life. Or if I want to continue with them at all! I really enjoyed Nadine's latest PL post. I still have a PL post planned for you (!!) and will have to think hard over the next week on how I want to tackle it in 2013.

later loves

Let's Chat

Hanging out for a whole day with Nicole back in September - aside from being the bestest most best Saturday ever - gave me a lot of opportunities to geek out over Blogs. And chat about blogging, and what we like and don't like about certain blogs, and what makes us subscribe (and unsubscribe).

Y'know, I've been blogging for years, and I have way less followers than some ladies who have only been blogging for a couple of months. And truthfully, most of my followers are real-life friends, family, or spammers from overseas! Am I jealous of those upstart bloggers and all their readers? My feelings on that range from "not really" to "heck no". And I'm really okay with that.

A lot of bloggers (new and old) offer "advice" on getting more readers, retaining those you already have, connecting on social media, building your "audience", how to manage comments and giveaways and sponsors and blah blah blah.

I will never ever understand how people can take a blog and make it a business. And I guess those are the blogs that I have started to avoid.

To me, blogs started out as being personal online journals for making friends and sharing your story. And I guess that's kind of where I want my blog to live. I deem my blog a "success" as long as I enjoy writing it, and if I can meet some sweet new friends through it. Some even "IRL"....ermagherd.

I continually turn down (loser) requests for sponsored guest posts that "will really interest your readers"....my ass.....I want to write about things I like and if somebody else out there likes it too, well then shucks. Ain't that just super fun! And if I get some hate mail along the way, well then I'll know I've really "made it." HA!

Please note: Every once and awhile I feel I've just got to get things off my chest. I haven't yet determined exactly what kind of filter I could put on the blog for privacy, etc. That has never really entered my universe of thought, and I doubt it will any time soon. I like to rant in real life, so why the heck shouldn't it spill over here. If you take offence, please send me my first piece of hate mail so I know I'll have really made it!

And yes, I realize this is a super loser post to be putting out here right before Christmas, but it was the only one in my Drafts folder that was pretty much good-to-go! This week has been a gong show for me, working 9 hour days (not including the commute...), leaving and coming home in the dark. Ugh. I really just want to sit and relax, and scrapbook, and hang out with Dude & R! I hope to get some Christmas things under my belt before the weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

But Christmas is next week! I get to see my brother, sister-in-law and nephew!! I get to hang out with my family, and play games, and drink too much! And snuggle babies! I get to drink homemade nog and watch old movies with BFF!! I'm fricken going to Disneyland! That's a lot to look forward to....and to help me take this week for what it's worth.

later loves

Melton the Warm-Hearted Snowman

Date: December 12, 2012

Location: Kameyosek Elementary School Gym

Event: Dude's Christmas Concert

Participants: Me, Russ, Mom, Grannie & Pa. And Dude of course!

Oh my. My Proud-Momma metre went skyrocketing through the roof the other night! My son sang at a Christmas concert! WOOOOO-HOOOOOO!

He spotted Grandma at the front, so he got really excited and started looking for the rest of us. I think most of the younger kids spent more time looking for Moms & Dads than they did participating in the concert!

Yes...he is wearing headphones. And no, they are not part of a costume. Back in Kindergarten we discovered that he has a big issue with loud noises in the gym. He would get upset, cry, and need to leave the room during assemblies. His teacher thought it might be a sensory issue (she even sent home a big pamphlet for me to read), but I think it's just a Lucas idiosyncrasy!

But he sang! He actually participated in the concert! Well...I don't know if he was actually singing, or just mouthing the words (the chorus to be exact), but I don't even care! It was amaze-balls!

The whole show was pretty good actually. I can't even imagine the logistical nightmare of getting all those antsy kids out of their classrooms in time, and get them up on the stage, and then back off the stage and the new group following behind.

I was left remembering my Christmas Concerts in elementary school. I remember dressing up, and maybe even getting to wear a little makeup! I remember playing in the classroom until it was our turn. I remember the lights, bright in my eyes and warm on my face.

And when I got older, I remember being in the choir, and being in the show! Having a speaking part, singing an extra song. Getting to wear a costume! Our music teachers were amazing, and often composed and played all of the music for each concert. We didn't have microphones or sound systems. It was amaze-balls too.

And my Grandpa probably has video of all of those as well....the tradition continues! HA!

later loves

Road Trip!?

This week is supposed to be "What to Wear on a Road Trip". But, as you might assume from past WTW posts of mine, it will quickly turn in to something completely different. But first...

Howdy! For me, road trips are all about comfort + style. Jeans are safe, cause I think jeans are comfy, and also stylish enough that if I have to get out of the car to make a bathroom run with Dude I don't want it to look like I've been sleeping in a car for the past hour!

A sweater is also a must have. Russel likes to crank the air conditioning, like, really crank the sucker, and I am usually freezing by about 10 seconds in to the trip. But will he take his damn sweater off and give me a little break with the blasts of freezing cold air all over my body? No. That would be silly!

Look! My Christmas tree! It's kind of pathetic this year as I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting the big tree out from the basement if we're not even really going to be here for the big day (more on that later).

I'm only going to sort of half-assedly apologize for the shitty quality and low quantity of my photos today. I am currently fighting a bitch of a head cold, and yesterday I started out a teensy bit hungover (I know, I know....on a "school night" and everything) so I was looking a totally worse for wear last night. After supper I took a quick nap on the couch before heading out to the Christmas event of the season: Dude's Christmas Concert!

Kids Christmas concerts are part ridiculous, part boring, and lots of parts cute and cuddly and hilarious!

Now, Dude knows how to "bring it" for What to Wear! Maybe I should have him take over this series! HA!

But seriously....check out my ladies with their clever Road Tripping fashions:

Abhaya // Bodacious Thought // Exploring Woods // Gypsy in Jasper

lala faux bois // Like a Small Fire // Salvaged Strawberry // Thinkin' Outloud

And don't forget to spread some blog-love on this lovely winter morning!

Coming up on the blog:

More on the Christmas concert (Dude sang!)

I scrapbooked!

December Daily & Project Life updates

And if I can get my shit together, a Christmas craft! Say what?!

later loves

Another "Successful" Photo Shoot!

Every year we take a "Christmas Card Photo"....that I add to our Christmas cards. Self-explanatory, I think. This year we didn't get a chance to do one in the fall. But on the first weekend in December my Mom wanted to get a photo of the big group of us for her Christmas cards, and so I thought while we were at that.....

Awww! We're so cute!

Gots to get some goofy ones in as well. For good measure and all that.....

Dude & Captain were SO MAD that they had to sit for a whole five minutes and get their pictures taken. I think they freaked out for longer than the whole photo shoot took! Evan is the smart one. He just sat and played with his toes until we were ready.

And in case you're interested, here are some Christmas Card Photos from the Ghost of Christmas Past...

And the Final Good-Kercher-McGarvey Family photo. Another year is coming to a close....and we are still looking pretty damn awesome!

Standing l-r: Heath, Sean, Amy, Russ, Lisa
Sitting l-r: Jacob, Arlene, Evan, Lucas

(and then I promptly went and scrapbooked the darn thing....cause that's how I roll!)

Hello Studio Calico November kit!

later loves

Latest & Greatest...

So, on Instagram I totally said this was going to be for sale on Sunday. Last Sunday. I've gone and made a liar out of myself. Yessiree.

But it's on sale now people. And I think I've gone and outdone myself with this little mini album. It's pretty damn awesome, if I do say so myself. Which I have. Often.

And really, the more I look at it, the more I think it is only sort of Christmasy. I guess it's what you make it...just like the actual Christmas.

ON SALE NOW at your "local" Treasured Memories. There's only one...so...yeah. If you're local, stop by!

Enjoy! I might just use this one as a travel mini album for our family trip to Disneyland!

later loves

Christmas is Coming People!!

photo source

I went and spent a bunch of moola over at Etsy a couple of weeks ago. For Christmas presents....I swear! And none for me. Well....maybe one....HA!

And I got all of my packages back last week! Yay!!

But that just reminds me that I still have lots to do....good thing most of the people I shop for are as easy-going as me. Or have lists. I actually love buying presents for people, and sometimes my best laid plans are a little too overwhelming! For me and maybe for my giftees as well...

You see, I had the bestest best idea for BFF for a Christmas present! But I am not going to go through with it! Now, that may seem weird, but I think you have to keep in mind a person's "gift threshold". What might seem like an amazing gift in your books, may be too much ($$ or thought-wise) in the recipient's. Food for thought...

And some people just really love the whole shebang and enchilada and whatnot!

In all of my "travels" the other day, I found a new little shop. That's close to home to boot. True North Post is a great blog read as well! And it comes with a gorgeous personal blog as well: Jeni & Tim. I love writing and receiving letters! It just about makes my day.

Speaking of that, I still have my Christmas cards to plan and make this year! I usually send out about 70, complete with letter and family photo. Oh dear....that reminds me. I still need to write that letter and take that photo! HA!

Do you send loads of Christmas cards or just a few to special family &/or friends?

Home-made or store bought?

Don't you just love the Christmas Letter/Family Photo Combo? (wink)

I am collecting addresses as well. So if you have moved recently (ahem...Jill) please forward me your new address, so I can get you your card/letter/photo in the mail before the deadline has passed! And if I didn't know you last year, but now we're best buds this year (ahem...Jen & Candace) send me your address

later loves

p.s. I am SO SICK AND TIRED of reading poor grammar on Facebook and Instagram. People, honestly. Your grammar is terrible, and you're going to earn my ire for it. And to my friends who know exactly what I'm speaking of, there is no reason for their grammar to be so terrible, amiright?! They're really driving me crazy!

Christmas Break

I think I'm going to start my Christmas blog break a little early. But first, I'll give you a little pre-Christmas update!

The Christmas concert was a success! Lucas didn't get upset or sad or anxious. He even sang one line of one song and sort of did the little dance! His class sang two songs, and he got to wear his slippers and reindeer antlers. Because he sometimes has issues with lots of noises, his teacher keeps a pair of large headphones in the classroom. For tonight, she taped the reindeer antlers right to the headphones! They kept falling off of his head, so Lucas spent most of the concert trying to fix them. It was the cutest thing!!

In Friday night I convinced the boys to go see the lights at the Legislature. Lucas wasn't too keen to go, but I let him know there would be snow and Christmas lights, so he was happy. It was chilly and getting late, so we didn't hang out for too long.

On Saturday we attended the official Good Family Christmas party out at my aunt and uncles. They have a "farm" just outside of Beaumont, and every year Uncle Mike hooks up the horses to the sleigh and takes the big kids and little kids on a hay ride! There was barely any snow this year, so it was a wagon ride instead.

And tonight, I finally finished decorating the tree! Lucas put his two McQueen ornaments on, and I did the rest. As I was decorating it, I was remembering the stories behind each ornament and when Russ & I bought the ribbon, and all the good stuff I love about Christmas. I'm thinking that would be a nice addition to my December Daily!

I'm really enjoying reading Ginger's blog and all she has done in her December Daily album. I've been trying really hard to keep up with keeping track of all the things going on this month. We haven't been doing a lot of Christmas-related things, but we have been keeping busy enough. It will be nice to look through in the coming years. I still wish I could start some new family traditions, but the boys just don't seem to care, so it's really hard for me to care.

Christmas is only a few days away, and I still have some last minute gifts to buy (Russel...) and then wrap. But I plan on enjoying the time off and taking a nice break before getting back to things in the New Year. There will be lots of time for setting goals and making plans next week!

So Merry Christmas! I'll see you in a week or so!!

The Day-To-Day

Things I was doing today:
- Grocery shopping...plus I knocked a few Christmas presents off my list at Superstore!
- Christmas card mailing (still only almost done)
- Christmas present shopping at Indigo (yay!) and Bath & Body Works...that store makes my head hurt

 - Stocking stuffer purchasing at Shoppers Drug Mart. Have you noticed how many drink choices you have now? And all I wanted was a simple iced tea...

Things I would rather be doing today...

Lucas' Christmas concert at school is tonight. It's hard to tell if he is excited or not...I know Grandma is!