The Kid in Me

At this very moment I am watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" on TV.  I just love this movie and it totally gets me into the Christmas spirit!  It was a favorite when I was a child!  

I actually own the soundrack with Burl Ives singing all the wonderful songs from the movie.  I also went to see "Arthur Christmas" on Saturday and loved it!  It's not even December yet but I'm already rearing to go on decorations and hand-made tags and cards.

Did you all have a blessed Thanksgiving?  I'm sorry I did not have a chance to pop in and post something.   Mine was a nice low-key holiday with my immediate family.  I went to my parents home to help prepare for the meal in the evening when my brother, a dedicated police officer, was done with work.  It's hard have him gone on a holiday, especially Christmas.   Thankfully, he is not currently working evenings so we are so blessed to have him available for dinner-time!

God is so good and I'm truly thankful for a close and loving family, sweet friends and a great job and health!  I'm also thankful for many other blessings of this season ... food on the table, transportation, heat, a home, church home, and a loving God!

As I said in my last post,  I've been doing lots of crafts and hopefully my next post will include a few hand-made items and an upcoming reveal of my swap gifts, soon to be mailed and received!  Such fun!

2011 Christmas Ornament Swap

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... on my craft table and I suppose everywhere I shop, too!  It's a little sad that we cannot get past Thanksgiving anymore and move right on into Christmas immediately after October.  Rush rush rush!  I love Christmas and cannot wait to exchange ornaments with my swap partner Tabitha - so I will admit I've been sneaking some Christmas songs on Pandora while at work this week.  You know, for inspiration (smile)... 

I have joined The Bloggerette Sorority and jumped at the chance to participate in a Christmas swap.  This kind of stuff is so rewarding and it's fun to get something pretty in the mail  during the hectic holiday season.  It's also a great way to meet a new friend!  I find myself reminiscing about the advent swap from last year and hope that Linda from Swap For All Seasons will return again to blogland after her hiatus. 

However, I also love Thanksgiving and cannot wait to enjoy that day with my family! I have so much to be thankful for!  God is so good and I thank Him everyday for all He has done. 



Cheery Little Birdy

                                                    photo by me
How's your weekend going?  I had a nice few days off & celebrated my parent's 45 wedding anniversary and my dad's birthday last night!  I am so grateful and blessed to have parents that are still in love after many years of marriage.  They both have incredibly youthful spirits and a great sense of humor which I think has served them well!  They have been an inspiration to many including my brother and I.

In case you have noticed, I've been in a very crafty mood!  I'm gearing up for the holiday season and enjoying the process of nurturing my creative side!

Recently a sweet church friend of mine has been quite down and I'm sending her this card to give her a little cheer.   The birdy is from the Heartwarming Vintage Crafty Secrets Wacky animals creative scraps (love!).  I also used paper from Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie (from a paper pack) in the background.  The gingham is from Jo Ann's Fabric Store.   Hope it brought you a smile, too!

P.S.  I should mention that the card sketch pattern came from Mojo Monday.  I think I'll be checking back for more ideas because this turned out so cute!