Secret Elf Day 2

Isn't this amazing? I've been wanting to see one of these in real life, and my Secret Elf made one for me! Thanks, Elfie!

Secret Elf Day 1

I've mentioned my Swappers Anonymous sisters before. We met online last spring, before the Stampin Up Convention. We helped each other stay on track with all the (over) swapping we signed up to do! We were able to meet in person at Convention, and we have remained good friends ever since.

Some of us decided to do a 12 days of Christmas "Secret Elf" swap! Is that fun or what? So every day now, I get a little present all for me! LOL Isn't this adorable???? No one has ever given me a pop-top gift before!

This is what was inside!

Woohoo! We had the option of telling our secret elf some things we would like, and this ribbon was on my list! I didn't let myself order any LOL, so this is a special treat! Oh, and I put the bottom of the pop-top in the photo, because I wanted you to see how cute it is with that snow flurry!

Thanks, Christmas Elf!!!!

She's making a list, checking it twice (or 3 or 4 times)

Love these Christmas list books! The tutorial is available from Splitcoaststampers here.

My Dad was an office supply junkie, and I inherited that trait in full measure! I have been accused of homeschooling just so I could have all the supplies and equipment. LOL And now papercrafting just adds new excuses for more and better stuff! Anytime I can dress up a notebook and pen, I'm all over it.


Today is wrapping day. I'm trying to make room in my closet for my actual clothes. So far I have wrapped 4 books for the cousins. LOL My sweet 9yo daughter keeps wanting to help, and there are some things I just want to keep a surprise! Normally I can stay up later than the kids, but not on these muscle relaxers. Anyway, I have to write down what I wrap, or my aging 40-something brain will forget and freak out later because I can't find something or accidentally buy two. This notebook is the perfect place!

Go on and kiss da girl!

Here are a few of the *40* lip balm holders we made last week. And still more to go for my daughters to give their friends.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes! I really am feeling better. It's just driving me crazy not being able to finish my "To Do" list at Christmas-time!

Acetate Pillowbox

I can't get enough of these pillowboxes! This is the version we made at Card Buffet, and probably what my girls will give out to their friends. I purchased the heavyweight acetate at Staples (in the copy center).


Stamps: Deer Friends
Paper: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Ski Slope DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red marker
Accessories: Gold Elastic cord, 5/8" red grosgrain, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Big Shot, Pillowbox die, heavyweight acetate

Not the best day

Have you ever had your feelings hurt when you were down? Ever asked for help, without revealing all the details, and been euphemistically slapped in the face?

As some of you know, I have been extremely ill recently. I had an "adverse reaction" to some asthma medication, followed by some back muscle trauma. I've spent most of my life being rather unwell, and I hate whiners, so I always just cover up my health problems by laughing and saying, "I'm sure I'll be fine." I try to be a very reliable person. I'm not a flake. I always do what I say I will do.

But today, I left a message with someone asking for a little help, and instead I got a lecture for my trouble. A lecture on personal responsibility, no less. So after spending a few hours with my feelings very hurt, I am trying to be a "Big Girl." An emotionally mature adult--"Be the better person" has always been my style. I'm struggling today to even *want* to be the better person.

So to pull myself out of this hurt, I'm trying to think of ways I can be more sensitive to the needs of others. More aware that they may not be telling me everything, but they still need help.

I remember the first time in my adult life when I realized I could be more sensitive. I had a 1 month old baby (my 3rd) and my youngest brother had just died unexpectedly. My sister-in-law had come to pick up me and my kids to take us to my parents' house. As we were driving, she accidentally stopped at a green light. (Much better, actually, than accidentally NOT stopping at a red light.) Suddenly we both realized it, and she said, "Oh, I better get moving!" She was pregnant at the time, and sick. It was a moment of clarity, in all that grief and shock, that perhaps sometimes when people did "dumb" things, there was a very good--but hidden from me--reason for it. I would like to think that I became more compassionate. More willing to give others the benefit of the doubt.

It's a little early for New Year's resolutions, but I hope I can turn this sad day into a reminder to be a little kinder to others. To give them credit for the good things they do and how hard they try.

I hope you'll join me in taking a moment today to give someone a break. Let someone in front of you in line. Be the one who smiles. Remember our Savior who suffered for us whether we "deserved" it or not. In this crazy, busy time of year, take time to do a little emotional good deed.

Vintage Santa

I found these enormously yummy peppermint candies, and I had to figure out a way to show them off! A Christmas candy jar was just the ticket! I decided I had been petting my wonderful Riding Hood Red and Vanilla striped ribbon enough, so it was time to use it. The tag is from the hostess set Punches Three, stamped in Riding Hood Red on Very Vanilla and punched out with the scalloped square punch.

I am more of a Father Christmas person than a real Santa gal, so I love the retired SU set, Old fashioned Christmas. I stamped it in Black Staz-On in the lid and 3 sides.

Ho ho ho

This adorable Santa is made with the SU Exclusive Pennant Bigz Die! The die cuts both his hat and the scalloped circles. I used a variety of circle punches to complete his face. Add a little Blush Blossom to his cheeks, and you're set to go!