Christmas Cards are Finished

I finally finished my Christmas cards today....yippeee.  I seriously doubt I saved one penny because my time is waaay more valuable than any money.  I do enjoy doing them and they are really simply, they just involve several different steps.  So here's what I did:
1.Gather several pages of decorative scrapbooking paper (I used some Christmas and some funky...whatever I can find)
2.purchase blank notecards and envelopes from a craft store (Michaels)--I think I paid $10.00 for a pack of 50. I used off white but you can use whatever floats your boat.
3.Have your pics made with your favorite photographer such as Wendy Anderson  and then have them printed from a place like snapfish or winkflash (I suggest doing this first). 
4.Use a paper cutter to cut your decorative pages slightly smaller than the front of your card stock. 
5. Use a glue stick to adhere your photo to the center of the decorative paper.
6. Buy a Christmas Stamp and an ink pad from a Craft Store to personalize the inside of your card.  I used "Happy Holidays."
That's it.  You can embellish them further with ribbon on the front or using a round paper cutter to cut out a circle--then add your initial to the circle and glue it right above the picture, slightly overlapping it.  

 

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Voila, a stack of handmade, one-of-a-kind Christmas Cards of my family. 

Lots To Do Before Christmas

 

So.....still no Christmas tree, no Christmas decorations, no Christmas cards.  I am really on the ball this year aren't I! I did go to my favorite little cozy spot this morning to have my favorite little caramel/toffee latte and I did get started on my Christmas cards.  For the past few years, I have been making my own Christmas cards to try and save a few bucks....I really feel accomplished when I save money.  Probably, if you figured everything up, including my time, I would be better off to have them made.  But being the "do-it-yourself" kinda girl, I think I  should make them every year.  I will admit...this talent God gave me can sometimes be a curse within.  Everything I see, I find myself saying, "don't buy that, just make it yourself."  Well, that gets draining after a while, however, I would not trade it for the world!

Anyhoo, I also finished some ornaments I started about three weeks ago for one of my dear friends.  She has five children she home schools, and man, she is one super mom....she is such an inspiration to me in everything she does.  Her life is totally devoted to God and her family---something you do not see very often.  I know I can't say the same about myself.  I love you Janis!!!

Hugs and Kisses, christy jo

And the Winner Is..........

I am amazed at how close you guys were--you know me better than I thought.  My ultimate Dream Vehicle is a.........Vintage style Volkswagen Van.  Congrats Marcy, you are the winner of the Christmas ornament. (BTW, if you haven't already, check out Marcy's jewelry---LOVE it.) My neighbor had a vintage Volkswagen for sale a while back and I begged and pleaded for my husband to buy it for me but he refused.  I pleaded, made promises, and swore I would never want for anything else and he still would not budge.  I know your thinking, "How insensitive of him." Ok, maybe I didn't go that far.   I am convinced, though, if I had really wanted it, I would have got it......and that makes me really sad that I let it slip through my fingers.  It had no back seats, only a metal flooring...perfect for my junk, a bunch of kids, and whatever else you could imagine.  It was even wired up for electricity--Vic would have had a warm place to sleep when he is in the doghouse (just kidding).  One day, sooner than later, I will own my own vintage van.  When Vic and I went to England a couple of years ago to visit my sister, I came upon this beauty.  If I could have fit in my suitcase, it would have came back to America with me--it was calling my name.  Thank you guys for commenting--nice to know I am not just talking to the air.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I will be in the woods with my family looking for the perfect Christmas tree.  You think there are any Blue Spruces growing anywhere around Starlite in Hartsville, TN? LOL.   

Vintage Vegetable Basket

So back in October when my Junk Amies and I went to Atlanta to the Country Living Fair, I ran across this gal who was set up on the side of the road in a "not-so-good" part of town.  As you will soon realize, there's no holding this girl back when I see a good pile of junk up for grabs.... so we stopped.....despite the sirens in the background chiming the entire time.  At this spot,  I found one of my prized possessions: a "vintage veggie basket."  Well, actually, it could be anything, however, I think the gal knew I loved the word "vintage" so she threw that term in as she was giving me her spill on how grand it was.  All I could say was SOLD.  As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew it's destination....In my living room, above my dining room table.  Well, I had to make all that happen first.  You see, my dining room WAS in a different room, now it is in my living room.  So now, I have a little sitting area right off my kitchen.  You can see the sitting room is now home to the funky couch that NOBODY snatched during the Fall Barn Sale--I know it was a little wild, but a girl has to have a little wild side. I went to IKEA, grabbed a few light kits, and voila....a fancy, smancy chandelier. BTW, check out that cool piece of art by Kelly Bentley Ash--isn't she awesome!!! 

My first GiveAway

So now I really am getting too big for my britches....I am doing my first "Give Away" to the first person who can guess my dream vehicle.  You must leave it in the comment section, and please one guess per person. I will announce the winner Friday Dec. 3rd. This give away is nothing huge, but yet it is huge for me....As I mentioned earlier, this is a new beginning for me.  I love new beginnings......trying new things....going new places.....seeing new things.  The older I get, though, the less I like "learning" new things.  My brain is so congested from the three turkeys, I don't have much room for new knowledge right now.  However, I am really excited about this journey and am anxious to see where it takes me.  Here is what the lucky winner will receive, a little ornament made by moi.

Though yours will not say "donoho", you can choose from "peace, love, noel, joy, or hope." Speaking of hope, I hope this tickles your fancy.  I will also have a few for sale if anyone is interested.  BTW, you know I made reference to a picture  about "dreamin of wennies?" Well I am sorry to say, you will not be able to see the rest of that story.  I lost a lot of my pics due to some unknown reason which included a photo shoot my junk amies and I had done in the backyard of a little Cottontown house.... I was so excited to share those with you and now, they are gone...forever.  I am really sad over this. Traci and Sara, looks like we got to dress up again real soon! Have a cup of hot chocolate--Love, christy jo

Still No Pics

bloomsbury loft

I apologize--I am such a picture taker and not being able to share any of them with you is about to drive me bonkers.  Patience Chrisy, patience.  I bought a new card reader and my photos will still not download so if you have any suggestions, advice or comments on this matter, please help a sista out!  So for now, you will have to settle for the goods I find on other blogs (they're much better anyway).  I love these sweater Christmas Trees from here! Cheers!!!!

A Crafty Christmas

The Macon County Arts Council will be hosting their first "Crafty Christmas" tonight at 6:30 at the Macon County Chamber of Commerce.  Local Artisans will be selling their handmade goods for $10 and under.  Come on out and find yourself some unique, one of a kind handmade goods for that special person who has it all.