Dream Cottage

Be still my beating heart! If I woke up in this cottage I would think I had died and gone to heaven. The white, the femininity, the shabby touches...heavenly.

Credit for images: Trevor Tondro for the NY Times

What I learned this Christmas season:

1. It's the gift (er-thought) that counts; not the awful last minute wrapping job.

2. It's okay if the majority of holiday movies you watch star Tim Allen.

3. If the only Christmas lights in your neighborhood belong to your neighbors, it's okay; you can still enjoy them without all the work of putting them up and down.

4. If most of your December meals are from McDonalds, this too is okay, be thankful you have food.

5. If you don't have the time to make all those lovely holiday crafts you bought supplies for, it's okay to just admire the crafts others did.

6. It's okay that you failed to keep up with your journal and blog...sometimes you just have to embrace the moment and live life instead of recording it.

7. It's okay to enjoy what you do have and for the rest just say "next year will be better"!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Crafts!

So I'm back after a brief unplanned break; I wish I had a great story to tell as an excuse but I don't. When I think of Christmas one of the things I think about is crafting. Whether by yourself or with the kids, crafts are a fun way to celebrate the season and make memories you will have for years. I so fondly remember all the Christmas crafts I made in school and with my Grandma. Recently my sisters (one in elementary school and one in high school) and I began a holiday tradition. We take a day in December and make cookies, do a craft, watch a Christmas movie, and just hang out. Anyhow, the following is little collection of Christmas crafts from all over the net. I can't wait to try some of these!

An adorable and creative advent calendar in miniature. The cuteness is almost unbearable! #1 HERE

A memorable and beautiful take on the classic wreath. It would also be fun to spruce this project up using old colored Christmas photos or even embellishing with scrapbooking supplies like ribbon and glitter. #11 HERE

Snowmen that double as gift boxes...so fun. HERE

There's something so timeless and fun about these ornaments. HERE

And my personal favorite is this gorgeous little home that could be used in a village or strung up for use as an ornament. Lovely. HERE

I feel awful. I spent most of yesterday and today in bed. Yuck. About all I had energy to do today was look up these great rooms. There's nothing like fabulous design to lift your spirits. I mean, can you really imagine anyone actually being sick in one of these rooms? Me either. Anyhow, Enjoy.

Image credits from top to bottom: Homes and Gardens, Homes and Gardens, Elle Decor, ?, Domino, Country Home, Domino, ?

Scrappin' Sunday

I just finished not one but three new layouts...yay! I was inspired by the new goodies I got from Sweet Shoppe Designs (here) on Friday for 40% off. Score! Everything is on sale for 20% on Sunday though so you can still get in on the action. After seeing The Blindside on Saturday night I sat here at my little desk, scrapping away, cocoa in hand and all-in-all despite having to work on a Saturday it was a good day. The Blindside by the way is a-may-zing! It warmed even my cold football-hating heart. Anyhow, here are my layouts:

A fun girly page with sister and my sweet Jewel.

Above is page one (left side) of my Apple Hill layout.

And page 2. Speaking of fall, it's finally looking like fall here in Southern California. Yesterday we had quite the downpour and nearly all the trees have yellowed. Now if it could just snow for Christmas! ;)